Twins Minor League Report (6/18): Lee's Grand Slam Powers Saints

[Steve Lein]

Even though their game was shortened due to the rain in the Twin Cities Tuesday night, the Saints were able to pull out a victory at CHS Field thanks to the powerful bat of top prospect Brooks Lee. A starter set a career high in strikeouts to lead Cedar Rapids to a series opening victory, and a recent independent league signing also made an impact in his high-A debut.

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints (photo of Brooks Lee)

TRANSACTIONS

• The St. Paul Saints activated C Chris Williams ahead of their series opener against the Toledo Mudhens.
• Down in the Florida State League, the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels activated RHP Julio Bonilla from the 7-day injured list.

SAINTS SENTINEL
Toledo 4, St. Paul 5 (6 innings)
Box Score
The same rain that delayed the Twins game in Minneapolis, eventually got to the Saints and CHS Field in St. Paul, cutting this one short in the top of the sixth.

Starting pitcher Adam Plutko pitched all 5 1/3 innings for the Saints, getting through five with three earned runs on six hits, two walks, and two strikeouts. He gave up a solo homer immediately before the tarp came out, accounting for his fourth run allowed and seventh hit on his ledger, so the interruption came at a convenient time.

The Saints fell behind 3-0 after the top of the second, but got a two-out rally started in the bottom half. After two quick outs to start the frame, Diego Castillo put them on the board with a solo home run, his fourth of the season. Patrick Winkel (walk), Will Holland (single) and Edouard Julien (walk) then all reached base to load the bases. Brooks Lee then cleared them with a grand slam the opposite way, his second home run of the year, to put them out front 5-3.

Lee (2-for-4, R, GS, 4 RBI) and Castillo (2-for-2, R, 2B, HR, RBI, BB) each had two hits. Matt Wallner and Yunior Severino each drew a walk and struck out twice in three trips to the plate.

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Wichita 2, Arkansas 3
Box Score
Wichita scored first in this one after Jake Rucker drew a one-out walk in the opening frame, and was driven in by a double from Jeferson Morales. Kyler Fedko followed with a single but Morales had to be held up at third base, and from there the Wind Surge had just one more hit in the game.

The Travelers answered that opening salvo with two runs of their own in the bottom half against starter Cory Lewis. He walked the first batter he faced, and served up a home run to the next one, putting them down 2-1. Lewis was good from there though, working around three more hits allowed and one more walk to finish three innings. In all he surrendered those two earned runs on four hits and a pair of walks, while striking out four. He threw 61 pitches, with 36 going for strikes (59%) so his pitch did get run up a bit.

Aaron Rozek came on to start the fourth inning and would go on to finish the game. In his five innings he scattered six hits, good for just one earned run, while striking out six.

The Wind Surge were able to pull within one in the top of the eighth when Jorel Ortega drew a walk to lead off the inning. A pair of wild pitches later had him on third base, and Rucker brought him in with a sac fly. Unfortunately as alluded to, they weren’t able to find that needed hit after the first inning. They finished 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base for the game.

Luke Keaschall (1-for-4) picked up their third and final hit in the third inning. Rucker scored a run, drove in one, and drew a walk.

KERNELS NUGGETS
Peoria 2, Cedar Rapids 5
Box Score
The Kernels got started quickly in this one, scoring three runs over the first two innings for an early lead. A Rayne Doncon RBI single got them on the scoreboard in the first, and a Nate Baez two-run shot, his eighth of the season, made it 3-0 heading into the third inning.

It stayed that way for the next four innings, as Cedar Rapids got a monumental effort from starter Christian MacLeod. He retired the first 10 Chiefs of the game before allowing a double and a walk to consecutive batters in the top of the fourth inning. He shrugged that off and proceeded to then retire the next seven to end his day. In six shutout frames, MacLeod allowed just those two baserunners, and racked up 10 total strikeouts to set a career high. He needed just 76 pitches to make it through his six innings, with 51 going for strikes (67%), including an impressive 16 swinging.

Peoria certainly was happy he was lifted at that pitch count, as they finally got on the scoreboard immediately after his exit. Kyle Bischoff came on to start the seventh, and promptly gave up a single that was later followed by a two-run homer to make it 3-2 and putting MacLeod’s effort in jeopardy. He settled in though, and finished the inning with no further damage and added a scoreless eighth to keep them out front.

The lineup then added some insurance in the bottom half of the eighth when Baez drew a walk and Payton Eeles was hit by a pitch. A wild pitch moved them each up a base before Kyle Hess sent a sacrifice fly into right field to score one, and a wild throw allowed Eeles to score as well and make it the final of 5-2.

Gabriel Yanez pitched a one-two-three ninth, picking up his third save and striking out two.

The Cedar Rapids offense was led by Doncon (2-for-4, RBI, K) and Baez (2-for-3, 2 R, HR, RBI, BB) who each collected two hits, and Eeles (1-for-2, 2 R, 3B), who was making his Midwest League debut and has been nothing short of amazing since joining the Twins organization out of the Atlantic League in early May.

MUSSEL MATTERS
Fort Myers 1, St. Lucie 6
Box Score
The Mighty Mussels weren’t able to put together much offense on Tuesday, ending the game with just two hits on their ledger on the road in St. Lucie.

One of those hits was a single from Walker Jenkins, with the other coming off the bat of Carlos Aguiar. Fort Myers did score a run in the top of the sixth, thanks to three walks and a hit by pitch that credited Yohander Martinez with an RBI. Isaac Pena drew three walks by himself, but as a team they were 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left nine runners on base for the game.

Left-hander Ross Dunn made the start and finished the first four innings. He gave up three runs in the first but settled down pretty well with three scoreless frames after that. In total he was charged with three runs on three hits and three walks, while striking out one. Jack Noble (2 IP, ER, BB, K) and Xander Hamilton (2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, BB, K) each allowed a run or more in their two innings.

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
FCL Twins 7, FCL Orioles 3
Box Score
The FCL Twins utilized a big second inning to take down the Orioles Tuesday afternoon.

Yasser Mercedes got the barrage started with a single and stole his 17th base of the season. Ariel Castro then followed with a single of his own. A Gregory Duran ground out scored the first run of the game, then a walk to Hendry Chivilli preceded a two-run double from Jayson Bass for a 3-0 lead. The inning continued with a run-scoring error and a walk, before an RBI single from Daniel Pena added another tally. Castro then punctuated the inning by straight stealing home for the early 6-0 lead.

Joel Garcia made the start and went the first three, scoreless innings. He allowed one hit and struck out two. Eider Machuca gave up a pair of runs in his inning on one hit and a walk. He struck out one. Matt Helwig was credited with the win after his two innings. He was charged with one unearned run on one hit while striking out one. Eduardo Soriano finished the game with a scoreless frame, walking one.

The Twins scored their final run in the top of the sixth after Chivilli led off the inning with a walk. He moved to second on a wild pitch, and then third on a balk before Ricardo Pena brought him in with an RBI single.

Bass paced the offense with a double and single in three at bats, scoring a run and driving in two.

DOMINICAN DAILY
DSL Twins 6, DSL Mets Orange 9
Box Score
The Twins struck early in this one, taking a 3-0 after the top of the first. Their first five hitters all punched ground ball singles through the infield, with the final one from Ramiro Dominguez driving in two. They would tack on two more in the third to take a 5-0 lead, thanks to a Daiber De Los Santos RBI groundout, and RBI single from Merphy Hernandez.

The pitching staff got three scoreless innings from Aaron Carranza (IP, H, 2 K) and Yoel Roque (2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K) as they built that 5-0 lead, but Roque didn’t record an out in the fifth and the Mets pulled within one.

The lineup added an insurance run in the top of the sixth on a sac fly from Dominguez, but it wouldn’t be enough to hold off the Orange squad.

Sebastian Pulido (2 IP, 3 K) got them to the sixth inning, but Manuel Compres (2/3 IP, 0 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, K) and Daniel Manzueta (1/3 IP, 0 H, 2 ER, 2 BB) couldn’t find the strike zone, combining for four hit-by-pitches in addition to four walks, and this one got away.

Hernandez (2-for-4, R, RBI), Eduardo Beltre (2-for-3, 2 R, BB), and Victor Leal (2-for-4, K) led the way with two hits apiece in the loss.

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Pitcher of the Day - Christian MacLeod, Cedar Rapids Kernels (W, 6 IP, H, BB, 10 K)
Hitter of the Day - Brooks Lee, St. Paul Saints (2-for-4, R, GS HR (2), 4 RBI)

PROSPECT SUMMARY
#1 – Walker Jenkins (Fort Myers) – 1-for-4
#2 – Brooks Lee (St. Paul) – 2-for-4, R, GS HR (2), 4 RBI
#8 – Austin Martin (Minnesota) – 2-for-3, R, BB, K, SB (5)
#9 – Luke Keaschall (Wichita) – 1-for-4
#13 – Tanner Schobel (Wichita) – 0-for-4, 3 K
#15 – Cory Lewis (Wichita) – L, 3 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
#18 – Yunior Severino (St. Paul) – 0-for-2, BB, 2 K
#20 – Ricardo Olivar (Cedar Rapids) – 1-for-4, R, BB

WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
Toledo @ St. Paul (1:07 PM CDT) - RHP Ronny Henriquez (1-2, 3.75 ERA) 
Wichita @ Arkansas (6:35 PM CDT) - RHP Pierson Ohl (3-4, 5.03 ERA)
Peoria @ Cedar Rapids (12:05 PM CDT) - TBD
Fort Myers @ St. Lucie (12:10 PM CDT) - RHP Ricky Castro (2-0, 0.00 ERA

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

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[Doctor Gast]

What a big clutch hit grand-slam from Lee, to grasp away a win from the jaws of defeat! Farmer's days are numbered.

Eeles, what a find! He debut for CR in time to help them pull out a win. While low A FM is suffering w/o him.

[DJL44]

Saints game is free on MLB.tv today

[Seth Stohs]

1 hour ago, Doctor Gast said:

What a big clutch hit grand-slam from Lee, to grasp away a win from the jaws of defeat! Farmer's days are numbered.

Eeles, what a find! He debut for CR in time to help them pull out a win. While low A FM is suffering w/o him.

Do we want Lee called up to fill the Kyle Farmer role, playing twice per week, mostly partial games? 

And, I like Eeles, great story so far... but hasn't it been one game. CR won. FM lost. But I'm not sure that is all about Eeles. He is a sparkplug though. 

[Dman]

I don't know what to think about Eeles just yet.  I jumped on the Schufield bandwagon when he had a .856 OPS at AAA his first season, but he hasn't done much since then. I have only watched Eels a handful of times and most of what I saw was weak contact, some K's, some walks, HBP and I did get to see him smoke that triple last night. Maybe I caught him on off nights, but he looked pretty average the times I have watched him.

Still the numbers don't lie and he has really good numbers in A ball.  Walks (15%)  and K's (17%) almost the same.  A .300 batting average and .500 SLGing in a league where the average OPS is like .730 or something like that and he had a .965 OPS.  Granted he was only there about one month and he is old for that level so you would expect him to dominate especially short term.  Lot's of players do well at A ball then struggle at High A or at the dreaded AA level so there is a long way to go.

Still if you watch him at the plate. See his speed in action.  I think you would come away thinking this guy could be a special hitter\player.  The sample size is too small to predict much, but with a good eye at the plate and good contact skills along with decent power I wouldn't bet against this guy. It sure looks like the Twins might have found a diamond in the rough.

[roger]

With Julien hitting a buck 60, sure looks like Lee is the next man up when an infielder is needed.  Saw he was again at shortstop.  Has he played any second base this year?  Also saw Keaschall was again in center, where he has been most games of late. 

I don't see a problem bringing Lee up to replace Farmer.  He would play second most games with Castro returning to his super utility role.  I just don't understand why Lee isn't getting any games at second to prepare.

[Steve Lein]

3 minutes ago, roger said:

With Julien hitting a buck 60, sure looks like Lee is the next man up when an infielder is needed.  Saw he was again at shortstop.  Has he played any second base this year?  Also saw Keaschall was again in center, where he has been most games of late. 

I don't see a problem bringing Lee up to replace Farmer.  He would play second most games with Castro returning to his super utility role.  I just don't understand why Lee isn't getting any games at second to prepare.

Personally, I don't think he needs them. Might as well let him keep working to stay at SS (which I think he can play in MLB just fine). 

In my experience, it is the "fringe" guys that get moved around in the minors, not the studs. This helps them see if they can handle a utility role as that "fringe" type player. I don't see that being the case with Lee, but if this does start happening, I'd take it as a hint his promotion is imminent. He's still not hitting as a right-hander, but the lefty stroke is ready for the big lights.

[Doctor Gast]

1 hour ago, Seth Stohs said:

Do we want Lee called up to fill the Kyle Farmer role, playing twice per week, mostly partial games? 

And, I like Eeles, great story so far... but hasn't it been one game. CR won. FM lost. But I'm not sure that is all about Eeles. He is a sparkplug though. 

The switch-hitting Lee won't be playing 2X a week, he can play every day if he wants to.

Eeles has been doing well at FM. FM hasn't been very successful even with Eeles. FM will miss him. I was expecting Eeles to do well at CR but I'm impressed with him to contribute so soon. 

[Mike Sixel]

I don't get Lee not playing second at all. If he's playing SS in Minnesota any time soon, that's bad. 

[FlyingFinn]

40 minutes ago, roger said:

With Julien hitting a buck 60, sure looks like Lee is the next man up when an infielder is needed.

I really think Julien will start hitting better, much like Wallner. Then, Julien will get called up and Castro will return to LF and everywhere else. The Twins want Lee to master AAA, from both the left and right sides. 

[mnfireman]

1 hour ago, Seth Stohs said:

Do we want Lee called up to fill the Kyle Farmer role, playing twice per week, mostly partial games? 

Agreed. If/when he's brought up he needs to play every day.

[gregens]

11 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

I don't get Lee not playing second at all. If he's playing SS in Minnesota any time soon, that's bad. 

Perhaps they are playing Lee at shortstop as a "show case" for a potential trade?  Otherwise it is very odd.

[DJL44]

32 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

The switch-hitting Lee won't be playing 2X a week, he can play every day if he wants to.

He has a 600 OPS in the minors against LHP. The Twins aren't going to play him every day in the big leagues until he can hit lefties. If he came up to play 2B right now they would platoon him with Kyle Farmer.

[RpR]

24 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

I really think Julien will start hitting better, much like Wallner.

To dream hte impossible dream....

[Doctor Gast]

15 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

He has a 600 OPS in the minors against LHP. The Twins aren't going to play him every day in the big leagues until he can hit lefties. If he came up to play 2B right now they would platoon him with Kyle Farmer.

Playing only against RHPs means playing at least 75% of the time. 600 OPS isn't bad, what is his OBP against LHPs? that's more important. What is Farmer, Margot, Santana's OPS & OBP against RHPs? With Lee's recent performance, he's begging to be called up. Who's place will he take if not Farmer?

[Five minute major]

2 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

I don't get Lee not playing second at all. If he's playing SS in Minnesota any time soon, that's bad. 

As the season progresses, the Twins will want to give Correa more days off from the field with some at DH.   If Lee can play short, this gives the Twins great flexibility in the IF.  And will guarantee Lee playing everyday.   As mentioned above, Castro goes back to super sub.  Farmer is DFA'd.

 

[LA Vikes Fan]

This sounds like the plan. The Twins really don't have a backup SS right now. Castro is more of a "break glass in case of emergency" SS and is better suited at 2B, 3B, or in the OF. Lee seems like the logical replacement for Farmer on the roster. The hard part is if he replaces Farmer, will he play every day at 2B? Lee is a much better hitter against RH pitching so far in AAA. Now Castro is a much better hitter this year against LH pitching, although the reverse was true in 2023. 

So, the move would be to call up Lee, have him start at 2B against RH pitching, with Castro at 2B against Left handers. He would also be the backup SS. That means he should play SS in the Minors. Easier to play 2B after SS than the other way around. 

[Major League Ready]

3 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

I don't get Lee not playing second at all. If he's playing SS in Minnesota any time soon, that's bad. 

Makes me wonder just a tiny bit if they have plans outside of 3B for Lewis.  Remember, I said a "tiny bit".  I doubt this is the case but it makes me wonder just a little.

[DJL44]

2 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

600 OPS isn't bad

It is against AAA pitchers.

I've been watching the game today and Lee has hit Toledo's lefty starter quite well. Wallner, on the other hand, looks completely lost.

[jkcarew]

The theory behind keeping Lee at SS in the minors is that it’s much, much easier to transition from SS to 2B than 2B to SS. SS is much more demanding physically and mentally. If one can handle SS, transition to 2B is ‘easy’.

I think it’s a solid theory. And then there’s the fact that I’m sure he will be the one to slide over and rest Correa when they do bring him up. I’m sure he’s getting plenty of practice on the pivot from both sides.

[Mike Sixel]

8 minutes ago, jkcarew said:

The theory behind keeping Lee at SS in the minors is that it’s much, much easier to transition from SS to 2B than 2B to SS. SS is much more demanding physically and mentally. If one can handle SS, transition to 2B is ‘easy’.

I think it’s a solid theory. And then there’s the fact that I’m sure he will be the one to slide over and rest Correa when they do bring him up.

No one is saying move him off SS full time....but you want him to play 2B for the first time ever (slight exaggeration) in the majors?

[Mike Sixel]

32 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

Makes me wonder just a tiny bit if they have plans outside of 3B for Lewis.  Remember, I said a "tiny bit".  I doubt this is the case but it makes me wonder just a little.

I'd love that, but no way. No way (and yes, I saw the tiny bit). I just can't see it. He's healthy and elite where he is. I'm assuming comfortable.....

I mean, I want him in CF and Buxton traded (yes, he can be traded with teh right incentive), but I think we can cross that off our list of possibilities.

[Major League Ready]

37 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

I'd love that, but no way. No way (and yes, I saw the tiny bit). I just can't see it. He's healthy and elite where he is. I'm assuming comfortable.....

I mean, I want him in CF and Buxton traded (yes, he can be traded with teh right incentive), but I think we can cross that off our list of possibilities.

It will be interesting to see how they fit all of the pieces.  Lewis could play the Castro role at some point with the emphasis on could.  He could be the next Ben Zobrist.  I am really pulling for Brooks Lee to make the roster situation as difficult as possible by playing very well.

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, Major League Ready said:

It will be interesting to see how they fit all of the pieces.  Lewis could play the Castro role at some point with the emphasis on could.  He could be the next Ben Zobrist.  I am really pulling for Brooks Lee to make the roster situation as difficult as possible by playing very well.

I had hoped E Rodriguez would do that this year, but he's hurt again (and let's face it, Wallner and Larnach aren't holding anyone back, except they don't demote average players for great ones).

[Steve Lein]

On 6/19/2024 at 11:15 AM, Steve Lein said:

He's still not hitting as a right-hander, but the lefty stroke is ready for the big lights.

As an amendment to this comment, and to demonstrate the small sample size of this year:

Lee had an .600 OPS so far this season as a RH batter after Tuesday. On Wednesday, he hit 3 doubles (all of which were like exactly the same 🤣) as a righty, and now that OPS is .875. I did and do not, at all, think his "hitting" or any perceived lack thereof as a righty was keeping him in the minors. As soon as there is a need on the Twins in the infield, I'd bet he is the guy.