Twins Minor League Report (6/20): Lee Blasts Two Homers for Saints

[Ted Schwerzler]

Brooks Lee only recently returned to the St. Paul Saints lineup, but he continues to absolutely torch the opposition. With a pair of dingers on Thursday night, he continues to knock at the door for a big-league debut. An impressive pitching performance in the DSL shined, and the Twins farm system had some standout names on Thursday.

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints

CURRENT W-L Records
Minnesota Twins: 41-34 
St. Paul Saints: 36-35
Wichita Wind Surge: 28-38
Cedar Rapids Kernels: 37-27
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels: 31-34
FCL Twins: 16-16
DSL Twins: 5-8

TRANSACTIONS

• RHP Jay Jackson DFA’d by Minnesota
• Cedar Rapids OK Gabriel Gonzalez began a rehab assignment in the FCL.
• Fort Myers placed RHP Danny Moreno on the 7-Day IL. 

SAINTS SENTINEL
St. Paul 8, Toledo 5
Box Score

Former Saints fan favorite, and friend of Darryl Strawberry, Dave Stevens, was on hand to throw out the first pitch on Thursday night. Top pitching prospect David Festa started for St. Paul and worked 5 2/3 while giving up four runs. He allowed six hits but didn’t walk anyone and struck out six on the night.

Matt Wallner remained in the lineup despite Max Kepler being lifted by the Twins due to back spasms. He made his presence felt with a first inning solo shot, his 17th of the year, to put St. Paul on the board.

Toledo answered with a run in the third inning, and three in the fourth inning, but the Saints weren’t going to go away quietly. Diego A. Castillo homered in the fourth inning to make it a 4-2 game, and a four-run fifth inning was just what manager Toby Gardenhire ordered.

Edouard Julien singled home Chris Williams before Brooks Lee hit another dinger, and the three -run blast scored Will Holland and Julien. Lee wasn’t done with his hot streak though, and a sixth inning blast scored Holland giving him his second big fly of the evening. St. Paul was now up 8-4.

Scott Blewett and Austin Brice combined to work scoreless relief outings before Josh Winder took over in the ninth inning. With runners on the corners and no outs, Winder induced a double play that gave Toledo their fifth run but had the Saints just an out away from ending it. Julien posted a three-hit game out of the leadoff spot, and Lee had his pair of dingers. The Saints tallied 10 hits as a team and only Tony Kemp failed to reach base.

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Arkansas 2, Wichita 1
Box Score

It was Andrew Morris on Thursday for the Wind Surge. He gave up four hits while scattering three hits. Morris gave up a single run, walked two, and struck out three. 

Arkansas opened the scoring in the fourth inning with a run, and soon after, Wichita evened the score when Tanner Schobel drove in Dalton Shuffield on a sacrifice fly. Another Arkansas run came in during the seventh inning, and that 2-1 lead was enough to hang on for the victory.

Scott Engler worked 1 2/3 of scoreless relief while striking out a pair. Jared Solomon worked around a walk to put up a scoreless inning as well. Wichita managed just four hits while striking out 11 times and drawing only a single walk. Of course, Luke Keaschall had one of the four hits, his being a double.

KERNELS NUGGETS
Cedar Rapids was set for a tilt against Peoria but wet field conditions caused the game to be canceled.

MUSSEL MATTERS
Fort Myers 6, St. Lucie 5 (F/10)
Box Score

Tanner Hall took the ball for Fort Myers on Thursday night and threw four innings. He allowed four runs on six hits and a pair of walks. Hall struck out four as well.

After St. Lucie scored a pair in the first inning, Fort Myers responded with three in the second inning. Poncho Ruiz singled home Yohander Martinez before a Rixon Wingrove single brought home both Cole Elvis and Ruiz. The Mets answered with a pair in the bottom of the frame but Ryan McCarthy tied it with a fourth inning single that scored Martinez.

Scoreless the rest of the way, the teams went to extras. Maddux Houghton drew a bases loaded walk to drive in Carlos Aguiar, and McCarthy followed with a walk of his own to score Matthew Clayton. The Mets only got one back in the bottom of the tenth inning and the Mighty Mussels held on.

Wingrove recorded a pair of hits while Pena drew two of Fort Myers’ seven walks. Samuel Perez struck out three in three scoreless innings. Jack Noble picked up the win in relief.

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
FCL Rays 8, FCL Twins 2
Box Score

Facing the same matchup as the big-league squad, Dylan Questad got the start and worked three innings. He allowed four runs on five hits with two walks and a strikeout.

Gregory Duran kicked off the scoring with a second inning sacrifice fly that scored Yasser Mercedes to make it 1-0, and rehabbing Gabriel Gonzalez singled home Angel Del Rosario in the third inning. Unfortunately the Rays then ripped off eight unanswered to take the victory.

Gonzalez went 1-for-4 and Ricardo Pena was the only Twins hitter with a pair of base hits. Alejandro Crisostomo worked 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief while striking out a pair.

DOMINICAN DAILIES
DSL Phillies White 2, DSL Twins 0
Box Score

Melvin Rodriguez took the ball for the Twins and was nothing short of exceptional. Working five innings, he allowed a single run on two hits while walking one and striking out seven.

The Twins couldn’t do anything with their four hits, two of which came from Yandro Hernandez. Jose Vasquez gave up a run in two innings of relief while striking out three.

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Pitcher of the Day – Melvin Rodriguez (DSL Twins) - 5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
Hitter of the Day – Brooks Lee (St. Paul) - 2-4, 2 R, 5 RBI, 2 HR(4)

PROSPECT SUMMARY
Check out the Prospect Tracker for much more on the Twins Top 20 prospects after seeing how they did on Thursday. 
#2 – Brooks Lee (St. Paul) – 2-5, 2 R, 5 RBI, 2 HR(4)
#4 – David Festa (St. Paul) – 5.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
#5 – Gabriel Gonzalez (Cedar Rapids) – Rehab with FCL - 1-4, RBI
#8 – Austin Martin (Minnesota) – 0-3, R, BB, K, SB(6)
#9 – Luke Keaschall (Wichita) – 1-4, 2B, 2 K
#11 – Simeon Woods Richardson (Minnesota) – 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
#13 – Tanner Schobel (Wichita) – 0-3, RBI, 2 K
#18 – Yunior Severino (St. Paul) – 1-4, 2B, 2 K

FRIDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
St. Paul vs Toledo (7:07 PM CST) – RHP Randy Dobnak (5-5, 4.55 ERA)
Wichita @ Arkansas (7:05 PM CST) – RHP Marco Raya (0-1, 4.67 ERA)
Cedar Rapids vs Peoria (6:35 PM CST) – RHP Jordan Carr (2-1, 4.81 ERA)
Fort Myers @ St. Lucie (5:10 PM CST) – RHP Cesar Lares (2-2, 3.30 ERA)

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

View full article

[Jocko87]

I'm starting to have a feeling it's going to be an interesting week on the ol transaction tracker.

[FlyingFinn]

A couple oddities in the Wichita game - Morris only went four innings after giving up just one run (guess he threw 80 pitches so not as odd as I thought). Sabato pulled very early in the game as well.

[bean5302]

Brooks Lee is really getting it done out there right now. I think he's going to force the Twins' hand after the All Star Break if he keeps this production up. While the RHB is still SSS, he's showing results.

[Doctor Wu]

• RHP Jay Jackson DFA’d by Minnesota

Well, that wasn't a shock, but the fact that they released another pitcher to bring back Jackson last week (or was it the week before?) was the real puzzling move. This bullpen remains a work in progress. Sorry, this should probably go in the other forum, but I just noticed the transaction in this article, thus the comment. 

[mikelink45]

When do Lee and Wallner come up.  If Kepler is out Wallner is a natural replacement.  Who does Lee replace?  What a nice conundrum. 

Like the last poster I am puzzled over the Jackson DFA and wonder why it didn't happen earlier. 

[h2oface]

FREE BROOKS LEE !!!

[Guest]

Wallner is 3 for his last 14, all HRs, two walks but nine SOs.  If he's adjusted his hitting approach from earlier in the season nobody here has been able to figure out what he's doing differently.  They could bring up Lee and put him at 2B, shift Castro to LF and Margo to RF.

[nclahammer]

Good to see Gabriel Gonzalez starting his rehab in Florida, looking forward to seeing him and the Kernels in person in July.  Lee will be making his MLB debut soon and Wallner his another dinger (and also had three Ks.)    As Larnach cools off, I could see he and Wallner doing a switcheroo.

[Trov]

1 hour ago, mikelink45 said:

When do Lee and Wallner come up.  If Kepler is out Wallner is a natural replacement.  Who does Lee replace?  What a nice conundrum. 

Like the last poster I am puzzled over the Jackson DFA and wonder why it didn't happen earlier. 

Lee would play 2nd most likely.  Then Castro will be freed to move back to OF.  Really if Kepler goes down, Lee could be the call up and you use Castro mainly as OF. 

[Old Crow]

How about an occasional update on the status of Kiersey Jr and Erod.

[Old Twins Hat]

8 minutes ago, Old Crow said:

How about an occasional update on the status of Kiersey Jr and Erod.

How about hearing about Topa and Stewart?

[Dman]

I guess Lee really didn't care for the narrative that he can't hit from the right side. Taking two lefties deep is certainly a way to change perceptions.  While it is just a few games this is the Brooks Lee we have been waiting to see. He is looking like another Lewis right now.  We'll see how he holds up through the All Star break, but right now he sure looks healthy and ready to mash baseballs.

[DJL44]

2 hours ago, Doctor Wu said:

• RHP Jay Jackson DFA’d by Minnesota

Well, that wasn't a shock, but the fact that they released another pitcher to bring back Jackson last week (or was it the week before?) was the real puzzling move. This bullpen remains a work in progress. Sorry, this should probably go in the other forum, but I just noticed the transaction in this article, thus the comment. 

They released Castillo to bring Varland up for the spot start. They added Jackson because they needed another warm body. They could have re-signed Castillo and added him back (he's a free agent) but chose not to. I expect them to fill that 40th roster spot with a waiver claim soon.

[LambchoP]

17 homers for Wallner. Dudes been hitting lately. If Kepler hits the IL I say give Wallner a shot to see if he can keep it going in the bigs. By the all-star break I think Lee will force the twins to call him up. Santana at first, Lee at second. Miranda dh'ing. Lewis and Correa on the left side, that's a solid infield!

[TopGunn#22]

I say to heck with this talk about getting Brooks Lee up by or just after the All Star Game.  Get him up NOW !!  DFA Farmer and make Lee your full time 2B.  Move Castro to full time LF (it's his strongest defensive position).  If Max has to go on the IL get Wallner up at least for the time Max is on the IL.  Brooks Lee can also play some SS when it's time to DH Correa once Julien makes it back to the big club.  

To me, it doesn't look like Wallner has figured much out.  Nothing significant has changed.  He still strikes out waaaay too much.  But the dude has 17 HR's.  He is who he is...a guy with tremendous power who whiffs a LOT.  Unless they want to finally give Kiersey a chance just bring up the 2nd coming of Joey Gallo and hope he makes just a little more contact than Gallo.  Might as well find out now because Max is gone at the deadline or after the season and Kirilloff looks like he'll never figure it out.  Larnach is back to hitting groundballs to 1B 50% of the time and the Twins should at least promote E-Rod to St. Paul before calling him up 8/1 or 9/1. 

At this point, I'd rather just go with Funderburk and call up Varland to be a part of the pen than waste time with all the bullpen retreads the FO signed.  They have all been disappointments.  Okert has been passable but seemed like he pitched so scared his last couple outings missing time after time with his backdoor breaking ball.  His constant nibbling put him in precarious positions to succeed.  Thielbar should be traded or DFA'd within a week.  

The Twins have rallied to within 6.5 games of Cleveland but wasting AB's on guys like Farmer when Brooks Lee should be up isn't helping.  I think Jocko nailed it when he said the roster moves in the next week should be VERY INTERESTING.  Because it's time to make them.    

[terrydactyls]

58 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

They released Castillo to bring Varland up for the spot start. They added Jackson because they needed another warm body. They could have re-signed Castillo and added him back (he's a free agent) but chose not to. I expect them to fill that 40th roster spot with a waiver claim soon.

I think that the front office was confused by having two players named Diego Castllo in the system and they decided to DFA one of them.  I hope they knew which one was the pitcher.

[JD-TWINS]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

They released Castillo to bring Varland up for the spot start. They added Jackson because they needed another warm body. They could have re-signed Castillo and added him back (he's a free agent) but chose not to. I expect them to fill that 40th roster spot with a waiver claim soon.

Maybe Festa? Didn’t check, but doubt he’s currently 40-man.

 

Lee is pushing!! Cannot imagine Wallner being moved up if he’s striking out at a 50+% rate recently…….regardless of HR.

 

Hope they don’t waste 2-3 days for a real view of Kepler. He’s either ready to go or he should get a 10 day break, immediately.

[Linus]

I see Lee played 2nd but hasn’t he mostly been playing SS?  I wonder if he would get called up to play second with so little experience there. He’s kind of a thick bodied guy - looks like a third baseman to me. 

[Doctor Gast]

There are some who are concerned that Lee doesn't mash LHPs & that playing around 75% of the time at 2B isn't enough. But since Lee's return to AAA he's been mashing LHPs. I'm all for holding back Lee at AAA as long as possible but we need him at 2B now. Since he'll be needed at 2B, someone needs to tell the FO that he'll need time at 2B to get ready & Julien finally at 1B.

[DJL44]

58 minutes ago, TopGunn#22 said:

I say to heck with this talk about getting Brooks Lee up by or just after the All Star Game.  Get him up NOW !!  DFA Farmer and make Lee your full time 2B.

I don't think that is the plan or they would have Brooks Lee actually playing 2B in the minor leagues. I wouldn't want to bring up a rookie to start in the majors at a position they have never played in the minors at all.

Lee would also have to be really good to be a better option than Willi Castro. Castro has been very good at 2B. There really aren't that many open spots on the roster. Farmer is barely getting any playing time.

[chpettit19]

1 hour ago, LambchoP said:

17 homers for Wallner. Dudes been hitting lately. If Kepler hits the IL I say give Wallner a shot to see if he can keep it going in the bigs. By the all-star break I think Lee will force the twins to call him up. Santana at first, Lee at second. Miranda dh'ing. Lewis and Correa on the left side, that's a solid infield!

Wallner has been hitting the Louisville Bats lately. Outside of facing that pitching staff he hasn't been great. In the 3 games since the Bats series Matt Wallner is 1 for 11 with 7 strike outs, 1 HR, and 2 walks. Outside of facing the horrid Louisville pitching staff Wallner really hasn't done much at all in AAA. 8 of his 17 HRs have come in 12 games against Louisville. I think waiting a couple more series against non-Louisville teams is probably prudent. If Kep goes on the IL it will be interesting to see what they do.

[chpettit19]

10 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I don't think that is the plan or they would have Brooks Lee actually playing 2B in the minor leagues. I wouldn't want to bring up a rookie to start in the majors at a position they have never played in the minors at all.

Lee would also have to be really good to be a better option than Willi Castro. Castro has been very good at 2B. There really aren't that many open spots on the roster. Farmer is barely getting any playing time.

FYI, Lee started at 2B yesterday. Certainly not any sign of a move today, but they do look like they're starting that plan.

[chpettit19]

1 hour ago, TopGunn#22 said:

I say to heck with this talk about getting Brooks Lee up by or just after the All Star Game.  Get him up NOW !!  DFA Farmer and make Lee your full time 2B.  Move Castro to full time LF (it's his strongest defensive position).  If Max has to go on the IL get Wallner up at least for the time Max is on the IL.  Brooks Lee can also play some SS when it's time to DH Correa once Julien makes it back to the big club.  

To me, it doesn't look like Wallner has figured much out.  Nothing significant has changed.  He still strikes out waaaay too much.  But the dude has 17 HR's.  He is who he is...a guy with tremendous power who whiffs a LOT.  Unless they want to finally give Kiersey a chance just bring up the 2nd coming of Joey Gallo and hope he makes just a little more contact than Gallo.  Might as well find out now because Max is gone at the deadline or after the season and Kirilloff looks like he'll never figure it out.  Larnach is back to hitting groundballs to 1B 50% of the time and the Twins should at least promote E-Rod to St. Paul before calling him up 8/1 or 9/1. 

At this point, I'd rather just go with Funderburk and call up Varland to be a part of the pen than waste time with all the bullpen retreads the FO signed.  They have all been disappointments.  Okert has been passable but seemed like he pitched so scared his last couple outings missing time after time with his backdoor breaking ball.  His constant nibbling put him in precarious positions to succeed.  Thielbar should be traded or DFA'd within a week.  

The Twins have rallied to within 6.5 games of Cleveland but wasting AB's on guys like Farmer when Brooks Lee should be up isn't helping.  I think Jocko nailed it when he said the roster moves in the next week should be VERY INTERESTING.  Because it's time to make them.    

Emma isn't getting called up on 8/1 or 9/1. He's hurt and is likely out for a pretty significant amount of time. Keirsey is also hurt, but should be back soon, hopefully. 

[jmlease1]

The hitting potential of a Twins infield in 2025 with Lewis, Correa, Lee, and Miranda/Julien is tantalizing indeed. The power production is a good indicator that the back isn't giving him any trouble, I think. He hasn't played a ton yet, but all systems look go. If he hadn't gotten hurt early i think we would have already seen him at target Field. let him keep pushing. Good to see him get some time at 2B; that seems to be where he's going to get the first opportunity.

[DJL44]

8 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

FYI, Lee started at 2B yesterday. Certainly not any sign of a move today, but they do look like they're starting that plan.

Good. Getting Julien time at 1B should also be part of that plan.

[NYCTK]

Fair about Wallner, but I'm really excited to see he's cut down his K rate by 10 points. Makes me optimistic that he can come back up and basically be the guy he was last year. 

[stringer bell]

I don't think Wallner's recent production can be totally dismissed, but I'm not totally sold that he is back to what he was last year. Seventeen homers at AAA is a good number, pIarticularly because he wasn't optioned until the middle of April. 

Lee seems to be swinging it very well. There is an open 40-man spot so he could be promoted without losing anyone currently on the 40-man. It looks like second base would be the position available for him to step in and that would put a roadblock on Julien. 

Having Julien (2B-1B), Miranda (1B-3B), Lee (2B-SS-3B), Correa (SS) and Lewis for 2025 and on would be a strong, deep, versatile infield. 

[wabene]

12 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Having Julien (2B-1B), Miranda (1B-3B), Lee (2B-SS-3B), Correa (SS) and Lewis for 2025 and on would be a strong, deep, versatile infield. 

Ya! This is the kind of dreaming on the minors that helps to take the sting out of a couple of tough losses by the big club. If I didn't have the minors to dream on, I don't know how I'd get through a big league season that will always include at least 50 plus losses, lol.

Lee 2 dingers from the right handed box is just some sweet music.

[roger]

1 hour ago, jmlease1 said:

The hitting potential of a Twins infield in 2025 with Lewis, Correa, Lee, and Miranda/Julien is tantalizing indeed. The power production is a good indicator that the back isn't giving him any trouble, I think. He hasn't played a ton yet, but all systems look go. If he hadn't gotten hurt early i think we would have already seen him at target Field. let him keep pushing. Good to see him get some time at 2B; that seems to be where he's going to get the first opportunity.

Are we certain Julien will ever return?  I am not.  And his play at St. Paul doesn't have anyone all that excited.  Seems same old, same old.