Twins Minor League Report (6/15): Dobnak, Wallner Deliver for Saints; Sabato Provides Walkoff for Wichita;

[Seth Stohs]

Saturday provided us with several impressive highlights. Randy Dobnak had his best start. Matt Wallner stayed hot. Zebby Matthews was on the mound again. Would he issue any walks? The Wind Surge were powered to a huge walkoff homer in extra innings. Kevin Maitan and Jay Harry led the Kernels, for whom good things came in threes. Spencer Bengard was treat for the Mighty Mussels. 

Image courtesy of Ed Bailey, Wichita Wind Surge

Twins Minor League Report (6/13):

CURRENT W-L Records
Minnesota Twins: 38-32
St. Paul Saints: 32-35
Wichita Wind Surge: 26-36
Cedar Rapids Kernels: 35-26
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels: 30-30
FCL Twins: 14-12
DSL Twins: 4-5

TRANSACTIONS
Kyle Jones was set to begin his rehab assignment in the FCL. However, the game was postponed. 
Sebastian Pulido, a RHP in the Dominican Summer League, was activated from the Restricted List. 

SAINTS SENTINEL
St. Paul 3, Louisville 1
Box Score
Randy Dobnak had easily his best start of the 2024 season. He’s been pitching well enough of late that it’s again fair to wonder aloud if he has a potential path back to the big leagues. On Saturday afternoon, “Dobber” gave up just two hits over six shutout innings. He walked one and had 10 strikeouts. 

Josh Winder came on and tossed two scoreless innings. Kody Funderburk got the ninth frame. He gave up a run on a hit and a hit batter.  He had two strikeouts and earned his second save. 

Offensively, the Saints were again led by Matt Wallner. He put the Saints on the scoreboard in the fourth inning when he launched a 403-foot shot, at 109-mph to left-center field to make it a 1-0 lead. 

The Forest Lake native singled to lead off the top of the seventh inning and scored on a double by Jair Camargo. 

After a pitching change brought fellow 2019 Twins draft pick Casey Legumina into the game. He was greeted by a Tony Kemp sacrifice fly that drove in Yunior Severino with the third run.

Wallner was 4-for-4 in the game and the homer was his 14th of the season. The Saints had just six hits in the game. Camargo’s double was his fifth of the season. 

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Wichita 6, Midland 3 (11 innings)
Box Score
These teams were having so much fun in Wichita on Saturday night that they decided to play a couple of extra innings. The Surge broke through with three runs in the 11th to grab the win. 

Down 1-0 in the second inning, Luke Keaschall put the Wind Surge on the scoreboard with a double that drove in Jorel Ortega. Keaschall then scored on a Jake Rucker double. 

Midland reclaimed the lead with two runs in the top of the sixth, but a Jeferson Morales homer tied things at three in the bottom of the inning. That’s how the score remained until the 11th inning. 

Morales started the 11th inning as the Manfred Man on second base. With one out, Carson McCusker was hit by a pitch. That brought up Aaron Sabato who abruptly ended the ballgame with a three-run, walk-off homer. 

Sabato played hero, but the Surge gave up just three runs over 11 innings. Zebby Matthews started and gave up three runs on seven hits (including a home run) in six innings. He had seven strikeouts and - of course - no walks. The quick update? Matthews now has 70 strikeouts and just two walks over 58 1/3 innings. In that time, he has a combined 1.70 ERA (1.77 in AA, 1.59 in High-A). 

The team then got five innings of one-hit, shutout baseball from the bullpen. Miguel Rodriguez and Scott Engler each tossed two innings. Engler had four strikeouts. Jared Solomon walked two and struck out two in a scoreless 11th inning.

Sabato and Morales were both 2-for-5 in the game. Morales’s homer was his fourth, and Sabato’s was his fifth of the season. Sabato also stole his fourth base this season. Keaschall went 2-for-4 with a walk and his sixth double since joining Wind Surge.   

KERNELS NUGGETS
Cedar Rapids 10, Lansing 6
Box Score
The Kernels jumped ahead early in this game. They had a 4-0 lead after two innings. However, the Lugnuts scored five in the bottom of the fourth inning. However, the Kernels responded with three runs in the top of the fifth and the top of the eighth innings and held on for the 10-6. 

The Kernels scored one in the first inning. With two outs, Jay Harry doubled to drive in Ricardo Olivar with the first run. They scored three quick runs in the second inning. Kevin Maitan singled and scored on a Jose Salas triple. Nate Baez stayed hot and hit a two-run homer. 

Lefty Jordan Carr made the start for the Kernels. He tossed three scoreless innings to start the game. He got the first out in the fourth inning but then gave up four straight hits, a fielder’s choice and another hit to tie the game at 4-4. Michael Paredes came on and allowed an inherited runner to score before the end of the inning. 

The Kernels quickly responded in the top of the fifth inning, with patience. Rayne Doncon, Olivar and Agustin Ruiz walked. With two outs, Maitan cleared the bases with a double.

Again, the Kernels came up big with two outs. This time in the eighth inning. Rubel Cespedes singled, and Olivar followed with another walk. Harry tripled to drive them both in and then scored on a Ruiz single. 

Aside from the inherited runner scoring, Paredes was charged with no runs on two hits over 2 1/3 innings. Kyle Bischoff tossed two scoreless frames. The ninth inning was covered by Juan Mendez who gave up a run on two hits. 

Maitan led the way with a 4-for-5 game. He hit his third triple and drove in three runs. Harry drove in three runs with his 12th double and first triple. Kyle Hess had two hits. Olivar went 1-for-3 with two walks.  

MUSSEL MATTERS
Fort Myers 11, Lakeland 3
Box Score
The Mussels jumped out to an early lead with five runs over the game’s first two innings and then put the game out of reach with a five-run bottom of the seventh. 

The team fell behind 2-0 after one-half inning. The Mussels manufactured a run and then used some power to add on. Payton Eeles led off and was hit by a pitch. With one out, he stole second and then advanced to third on a fly out. He scored the first run on a single by Poncho Ruiz. Rixon Wingrove followed with a long home run to the right center field gap to give them a 3-2 lead. 

With two outs in the second inning, Matthew Clayton was hit by a pitch and Eeles walked. Walker Jenkins then drove in two runs with a single. Honestly, it’s a play you have to see to believe. 

Charlee Soto made the start for Fort Myers and completed the first four innings, a season high. He gave up three runs (1 earned) on four hits and a walk. He had five strikeouts. 

Spencer Bengard came in and continued to pitch as he has all season. He completed the final five innings without giving up another run. He gave up three hits, walked none and struck out five batters. 

With one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, Brandon Winokur was hit by a pitch. Ruiz and Wingrove followed with singles to lead the bases. A run scored on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Byron Chourio. Then with two outs, Carlos Aguiar doubled in two runs.Clayton, who was twice hit by a pitch  in this game, followed with a two-run single.

The Mussels added one more in the eighth inning. Winokur singled and scored on a Ruiz double.  

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
FCL Twins, FCL Red Sox
Box Score
This game was postponed due to inclement weather in Fort Myers. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader next Friday. It’s been a rough weather week in south Florida. Most of the games this week were postponed 

DOMINICAN DAILIES
DSL Twins 4, DSL Diamondbacks 6
Box Score
The Twins took the early lead in this one. In the bottom of the first inning, a Yandro Hernandez single drove in Merphy Hernandez. 

Santiago Rojas started the game with four scoreless innings. He hit a batter in the third inning and gave up an infield single in the fourth frame. In the fifth, he gave up a leadoff walk. The runner stole second and after two outs, he scored on another single. Nestor Cafe came in and issued a walk and a stolen base, followed by a single that scored the second run off of Rojas and another run. By the time the third out occurred, the Twins trailed by a score of 4-1. 

Rojas’s final line included giving up two runs on two hits. He walked one, hit one and struck out six batters. Cafe went 1 1/3 innings. He gave up four runs (2 earned) on just one hit. He walked four and had two strikeouts. 

Cafe started the seventh inning but walked both batters he faced. Fabian Herrera came in and after a wild pitch, he recorded back-to-back strikeouts. However, a bloop single scored both of Cafe’s runners. 

In the bottom of the sixth inning, an infield single by Davirik Fuenmayor drove in a run. Down 6-2 going into the bottom of the seventh inning, Daiber De Los Santos led off with a solo homer, the first of his pro career. The Twins kept fighting and scored a second run on an error. In fact, they had the tying run on second base when the game ended. 

Yandro Hernandez went 2-for-4 with two stolen bases. Murphy Hernandez was 2-for-3 with a walk and three stolen bases.

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Pitcher of the Day – a) Randy Dobnak (St. Paul) - 6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 10 K, 100 pitches, 67 strikes (67.0%)
                              b) Spencer Bengard (Fort Myers) - 5 IP,  3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 74 pitches, 53 strikes (71.6%)
Hitter of the Day – Matt Wallner (St. Paul) - 4-for-4, HR(14), 2 R, RBI.
                              Kevin Maitan (Cedar Rapids) - 4-for-5, 2B(3), R, 3 RBI, SB(2). 

PROSPECT SUMMARY
Check out the Prospect Tracker for much more on the Twins Top 20 prospects after seeing how they did on Thursday.
#1– Walker Jenkins (Fort Myers) – 1-for-4, 2 RBI
#2 – Brooks Lee (St. Paul) – 0-for-4, K
#7 – Charlee Soto (Fort Myers) – 4 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 68 pitches, 46 strikes (67.6%)
#9 – Luke Keaschall (Wichita) – 2-for-4, BB, 2B(6), R, RBI, SB(3).
#10 – Brandon Winokur (Fort Myers) – 2-for-3, 2 R,
#14 – Zebby Matthews (Wichita) – 6 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 81 pitches, 60 strikes (74.1%)
#18 – Yunior Severino (St. Paul) – 0-for-3, 2 BB, RBI
#20 – Ricardo Olivar (Cedar Rapids) – 1-for-3, 2 BB, 3 R, RBI, K.

SUNDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
St. Paul vs Louisville (12:05 PM CST) – RHP Caleb Boushley (6-1, 3.88 ERA)
Midland @ Wichita (1:05 PM CST) – LHP Jaylen Nowlin (4-6, 4.06 ERA)
Cedar Rapids @ Lansing (6:05 PM CST) – RHP Ty Langenberg (first Kernels start)
Lakeland @ Fort Myers (DH @ 11:05 AM CST) – RHP Jose Olivares (1-0, 1.80 ERA), TBD

Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Saturday’s games

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[Doctor Wu]

Bad week for baseball in Florida with all the rain and flooding, but at least some of the other affiliates were spared. Great game for Dobnak in St. Paul! And Zebby looked pretty good, once again giving up zero walks, although the homer hurt a bit. Nevertheless, seeing guys like Wallner and Maitan in a groove is encouraging. 

[terrydactyls]

I've asked this before and haven't gotten any response (including sending an email directly to the front office of the DSL but got no response).  Is the DSL restricted to A) only players that are from the Dominican Republic, B) only players who are primarily Hispanic, or C) is it open to anyone?

[LambchoP]

Zebby sure is making the case to be our top pitching prospect. He keeps up this dominance, I could see a September promotion to St Paul. Perhaps paired with a call up for David Festa to make a spot start or two, or help out in the bullpen down the stretch.

[Dman]

29 minutes ago, terrydactyls said:

I've asked this before and haven't gotten any response (including sending an email directly to the front office of the DSL but got no response).  Is the DSL restricted to A) only players that are from the Dominican Republic, B) only players who are primarily Hispanic, or C) is it open to anyone?

Seth would be the best one to answer this but A) it is not restricted to Dominican players as I believe there have been Venezuelan and Cuban players on those teams.

B) If I understand correctly the main reason there are so many Dominican players is most teams have academies there where they train and watch players from a very young age and recruitment begins at age 14 I believe.

C) It is open to anyone I believe but seems fairly unique in that most other players don't necessarily sign at 16 except the Dominican and Venezuelan players.  Cuban and Asian players generally seem to be 18 or older, but Kepler signed from Germany at 16 as did some Ausies.  Personally I wish they had an international draft and that they had wait until 18 to sign, but it is what it is right now.

[DJL44]

Quote

Randy Dobnak had easily his best start of the 2024 season. He’s been pitching well enough of late that it’s again fair to wonder aloud if he has a potential path back to the big leagues.

All it would take is any general manager on any other team calling the Twins and offering to pick up any amount of the $5M he's still owed.

[Doctor Gast]

Wallner 4-4, 1 HR & 0 Ks, he looks ready to return. But where do you put him? I'd like Martin to stay up. Hope Dobbie can keep it up. Looks like the main focus with Kiriloff is to rest his arm which I agree.

[wabene]

57 minutes ago, terrydactyls said:

I've asked this before and haven't gotten any response (including sending an email directly to the front office of the DSL but got no response).  Is the DSL restricted to A) only players that are from the Dominican Republic, B) only players who are primarily Hispanic, or C) is it open to anyone?

I just did a Google search of DSL players looking for non-Latin names and came across Paul Hoff, a player from Germany and Williams Wong from Italy. In the past I recall noticing other non-Latin players there. The rosters are almost entirely Latin though, but not just Dominican.

[Dman]

Gotta say that 4 for 4 night from Wallner was impressive.  Good at bats all night long for him.  Still not sure I trust him at the MLB level but the pitcher was dealing and no one else on the team could get a hit so he must be doing something right.  He keeps this up and he is gonna earn his way back.

Bengard has been good all year. Have to believe they move him up once the first half is over.  Granted there are a fair number of arms at high A right now, but his numbers scream I am too good for this level.

I know Rixen WIngrove isn't a prospect per say, but I was wondering why they had him on the team with all the strikeouts and weak contact he was producing.  The last few days I think I am seeing what the Twins saw,  When he connects the ball is going a long way.  Doesn't look particularly athletic, but he sure adds some needed juice that lineup.

Great to see all four affiliates with wins and good performances.  Hope they keep it up.

[mark sills]

1 hour ago, LambchoP said:

Zebby sure is making the case to be our top pitching prospect. He keeps up this dominance, I could see a September promotion to St Paul. Perhaps paired with a call up for David Festa to make a spot start or two, or help out in the bullpen down the stretch.

two of his earned runs came from a fly ball that could of been caught center fielder got turned around and slipped a little. 

[Five minute major]

Luke Keaschall at 21 tearing up AA already.   This kid is clearly moving up the prospect list IMO.   Another legit second base prospect for the big club with Julien and Lee?

[roger]

1 hour ago, terrydactyls said:

I've asked this before and haven't gotten any response (including sending an email directly to the front office of the DSL but got no response).  Is the DSL restricted to A) only players that are from the Dominican Republic, B) only players who are primarily Hispanic, or C) is it open to anyone?

I can't answer your entire question, but it is not A as the DSL Twins includes a lot of players from Venezuela and other Islands/countries in Central America, South America and the Carribean. 

See Lee was at third last night, Keaschall was DH.  Great night for Wallner.  I still want to see him continue hitting very well for at least another month.  Prove this isn't just another hot streak.  Or maybe a stretch of less than good pitching.

[Guest]

Have to give Sabato some credit as clearly he's made some adjustments at the plate.  His SO% is down, his swing is less noisy and IMO he's no longer another 1st round bust.  Yet. 

[bean5302]

3 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

...Looks like the main focus with Kiriloff is to rest his arm which I agree.

I haven't seen any reports about Kirilloff being injured or needing rest. He hasn't played, but that could be for a number of reasons.

[D.C Twins]

I'm an irrational Dobnak fan and rooting for his success wherever that may be!

[Seth Stohs]

6 hours ago, terrydactyls said:

I've asked this before and haven't gotten any response (including sending an email directly to the front office of the DSL but got no response).  Is the DSL restricted to A) only players that are from the Dominican Republic, B) only players who are primarily Hispanic, or C) is it open to anyone?

I don't think there's anything to say formally who can or can't play there. But it is primarily for players signed from Spanish-speaking counties. 95% of the players there are from the DR or Venezuela, but they have players from other spanish-speaking countries. 

Looking back at players the Twins have signed from other places, I believe they're all gone to the FCL in Florida. Australia. Germany. South Africa. That's tough because players in the FCL are typically a little older, a little stronger and more advanced. High school draft picks are generally 18, compared to the international players who sign at 16 or 17, and they're listed at 6-1 and 145 pounds. It's a good transition level before going to the States. They take classes most afternoons, basic English

[AceWrigley]

2 hours ago, bean5302 said:

I haven't seen any reports about Kirilloff being injured or needing rest. He hasn't played, but that could be for a number of reasons.

Its called rest.  😀

[bean5302]

1 hour ago, AceWrigley said:

Its called rest.  😀

So he's not in good enough shape to be a professional baseball player. Got it. Cut him.

[AceWrigley]

Just now, bean5302 said:

So he's not in good enough shape to be a professional baseball player. Got it. Cut him.

lol.