Twins Minor League Report (7/4): Fireworks on the Fourth

[Ted Schwerzler]

The St. Paul Saints had a testy matchup go sideways while the Kernels put up runs in bunches. The lower levels of the system showed out on the Fourth of July, and the Minnesota Twins affiliates all enjoyed some good action.

Image courtesy of David Malamut (@MWLArchives on X)

CURRENT W-L Records
Minnesota Twins: 49-38
St. Paul Saints: 42-41
Wichita Wind Surge: 35-43
Cedar Rapids Kernels: 44-29
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels: 40-37
FCL Twins: 19-22
DSL Twins: 12-10

TRANSACTIONS

• RHP Diego Castillo signed with Minnesota and has been assigned to Triple-A St. Paul
• RHP Matt Bowman signed with Minnesota and has been assigned to Triple-A St. Paul
• RHP Jordan Balazovic has signed with the Doosan Bears of the KBO of the KB
• OF Dalton Shuffield placed on IL by Wichita 
• INF Payton Eeles transferred from Cedar Rapids to St. Paul

SAINTS SENTINEL
Gwinnett 11, St. Paul 0
Box Score
Louie Varland made the start for St. Paul and it was an abbreviated mess. An elongated first inning had Chris Williams coming on in relief, and Varland returned in the second inning with runners on first and third before allowing a dinger. In total, he worked 2 2/3  innings allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out just one.

Matt Wallner and Diego A. Castillo both recorded a pair of hits, but the Saints were trumped by an 11-0 tally. After struggling to keep the Stripers in control on Wednesday night, it was more of the same on Thursday.

Relievers Diego Castillo and Matt Bowman both rejoined the squad, and broadcaster Sean Aronson was set for a promotion to the big leagues in a few days. The Saints saw a decent amount of turnover this week, but finding a win against Gwinnett continued to escape them.

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Wichita 1, Tulsa 1 (Susp/6)
Box Score
Kyle Jones made the start in what was his Wichita debut. He went three scoreless allowing just a single hit and scattering a pair of walks. Jones also walked two while striking out three.

Carson McCusker blasted his sixth home run of the season in the fourth inning to make it a 1-0 game, but Tulsa tied it in the fifth inning. Rain caused the game to be suspended before the sixth inning could start. Luke Keaschall and McCusker both had a pair of hits by that point.

KERNELS NUGGETS
Cedar Rapids 8, Quad Cities 5
Box Score
Ty Langenberg took the ball for the Kernels and turned in 5 2/3 innings of two-run (unearned baseball). He did walk four while allowing a pair of hits, but he also struck out four and kept the damage to a minimum.

Jay Harry opened the scoring on a second inning groundout that scored Kevin Maitan and made it 1-0. In the third inning, Rayne Doncon singled home Misael Urbina before Ricardo Olivar tripled Doncon in. Gabriel Gonzalez then singled to drive in the game’s fourth run and the Kernels had a 4-0 lead.

Urbina scored Harry with a fourth inning single before Gonzalez doubled home Olivar in the fifth inning. Up 6-0, the Kernels were comfortably in the lead. The River Bandits clawed back and made it a one-run game by the seventh inning, but Agustin Ruiz went yard in the bottom of the frame to make it an 8-5 game.

The Kernels saw Urbina go 3-for-3 while Olivar and Gonzalez each contributed a pair of hits. A.J. Labas got the hold while Kyle Bischoff recorded a save.

MUSSEL MATTERS
Fort Myers 2, Bradenton 1
Box Score
Spencer Bengard got the ball on Independence Day and was lights out. He worked six scoreless innings, dancing around six hits, while also striking out five and walking none. It would have been hard to have a better showing prior to the fireworks.

Both sides remained scoreless through the first four frames. Nick Lucky scored the game’s first run on a fifth inning wild pitch, and Byron Chourio drove in Walker Jenkins during the sixth inning. Despite giving a run back to Bradenton in the eighth inning, Fort Myers held on.

With just four hits, the Mighty Mussels didn’t have anyone record a pair. They also carried a 12/2 K/BB on the evening. Xander Hamilton picked up his fifth save working 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
FCL Orioles 3, FCL Twins 1
Box Score
Eduardo Soriano drew the start for the Twins and worked four innings. He gave up three runs on five hits while walking a pair and striking out three. 

Despite Jayson Bass scoring Bryan Acuna on a first inning single, the Orioles quickly tied things and took the lead. The Twins couldn’t draw even and ultimately fell by the 3-1 tally.

Bass recorded the lone hit of the game while the Twins went 13/3 from a K/BB perspective.

DOMINICAN DAILIES
DSL Twins 8, DSL Rockies 4
Box Score
Leonardo Rondon took the ball and worked four innings while allowing just a single run on five hits. He walked one but struck out three on the afternoon as well.

Recording 13 hits on the afternoon, Carlos Silva paced the squad with three of them. He pushed his OPS to .865 this season, and continues to look the part of a promising prospect. Eduardo Beltre, Ramiro Domingeuz, and Guillermo Sosa each had a pair of hits.

Eudy Garcia got the win in relief, and Neftali Rodriguez also worked a scoreless inning.

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Pitcher of the Day – Spencer Bengard (Fort Myers) - 6.0 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
Hitter of the Day – Carlos Silva (DSL Twins) - 3-3, R, 2 RBI, 2B(5)

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) – 1-4, R, K
#2 – Brooks Lee (Minnesota) –
#5 – Gabriel Gonzalez (Cedar Rapids) – 2-4, 2 RBI, 2B
#8 – Austin Martin (Minnesota) –
#9 – Luke Keaschall (Wichita) – 2-2, BB
#10 – Brandon Winokur (Fort Myers) –
#13 – Tanner Schobel (Wichita) – 0-2, K
#14 – Zebby Matthews (Wichita) – 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
#18 – Yunior Severino (St. Paul) – 1-4, 2 K
#20 – Ricardo Olivar (Cedar Rapids) – 2-4, 2 R, RBI, 3B

FRIDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
St. Paul vs Gwinnett (7:07 PM CST) – RHP Adam Plutko (2-1, 4.75 ERA)
Wichita vs Tulsa (7:05 PM CST) – RHP Marco Raya (0-1, 4.75 ERA)
Cedar Rapids @ Quad Cities (6:30 PM CST) – RHP John Klein (5-2, 4.66 ERA)
Fort Myers @ Bradenton (5:30 PM CST) – RHP Charlee Soto (0-3, 6.58 ERA)

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

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[Dman]

Was surprised they moved Eeles to AAA.  While Ortega, Ross, and Schobel haven't been worthy of promotion Rucker seemed like someone who might deserve to head to AAA.  Also if it is short term why not use Schuffield there.  He has been there before?

I assume this is a pseudo tryout for Eeles at a higher level to see how he does?  He handled high A pretty well showing his plate discipline and Contact rate with 11 walks and only 3 K's.  So they must feel like he can handle this level.  If he does well enough to stay there then he looks like a top 30 prospect to me.  It will be interesting to see just how well he does there.

[LambchoP]

Man, it sure looks like Varland is cooked as a starter. Long past due to stick him in the bullpen and see if his stuff plays up like it did last year. Anyone know why or how Varland was able to come back out to pitch in the second inning when he was relieved in the first inning? Or did I read that wrong? Either way, move Louie to the pen ASAP...

[annismark]

14 minutes ago, LambchoP said:

Man, it sure looks like Varland is cooked as a starter. Long past due to stick him in the bullpen and see if his stuff plays up like it did last year. Anyone know why or how Varland was able to come back out to pitch in the second inning when he was relieved in the first inning? Or did I read that wrong? Either way, move Louie to the pen ASAP...

sounds like they moved him to left field for a few batters. No idea why, but why not?

[Major League Ready]

How long until we see Bengard to A+, Culpepper to AA, Mathews to AAA, Varland to the BP?

[D.C Twins]

Varland to bullpen... optimize two pitches and build toward being a key piece in the pennant race 

 

 

[Seth Stohs]

23 minutes ago, Dman said:

Was surprised they moved Eeles to AAA.  While Ortega, Ross, and Schobel haven't been worthy of promotion Rucker seemed like someone who might deserve to head to AAA.  Also if it is short term why not use Schuffield there.  He has been there before?

I assume this is a pseudo tryout for Eeles at a higher level to see how he does?  He handled high A pretty well showing his plate discipline and Contact rate with 11 walks and only 3 K's.  So they must feel like he can handle this level.  If he does well enough to stay there then he looks like a top 30 prospect to me.  It will be interesting to see just how well he does there.

Shuffield went on the IL, so he wasn't available to be that guy this time. 

Don't make too much about of Eeles being the choice. St. Paul is an offensive league. He'll probably put up numbers, just as guys like Shuffield and Prato and Mikey Perez and Ernie Yake have when sent there. There certainly is the aspect that he can handle it. He's mature. He takes the type of ABs that will translate into quality ABs there.  

[Seth Stohs]

10 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

How long until we see Bengard to A+, Culpepper to AA, Mathews to AAA, Varland to the BP?

Bengard could move to CR anytime. Culpepper... let's just hope he gets back and pitches this year again. 

Matthews and Morris could jump to AAA if needed. 

[wabene]

12 minutes ago, Seth Stohs said:

Don't make too much about of Eeles being the choice.

C'mon Seth it would be pretty hard to make too much of the next José Altuve!

[FlyingFinn]

43 minutes ago, LambchoP said:

Anyone know why or how Varland was able to come back out to pitch in the second inning when he was relieved in the first inning? Or did I read that wrong?

You read it correctly. Chris Williams came in to pitch and Varland moved to LF to finish the 2nd inning. Then, Varland pitched the 3rd. He had over 30 pitches in the 1st and threw a lot in the 2nd. I know the amount of pitches thrown in an inning is something the Twins think can lead to injury. Therefore, they wanted Varland to pitch more but not keep going in the 2nd. Has to be a little embarrassing to do but Varland just has to pitch better.

[FlyingFinn]

Saints strike out 12 times but Wallner had none of them. He went 2 for 4.

[FlyingFinn]

50 minutes ago, Dman said:

If he does well enough to stay there then he looks like a top 30 prospect to me. 

I actually think this is great minor league news for Eeles that they think this highly of him. But, look at the names Seth listed. This is terrible news for Eeles being an MLB prospect. The Twins never jump guys up two levels for players they view as true prospects (possible exception for end of year playoffs but that is almost always a one level bump).

[Dman]

48 minutes ago, LambchoP said:

Man, it sure looks like Varland is cooked as a starter. Long past due to stick him in the bullpen and see if his stuff plays up like it did last year. Anyone know why or how Varland was able to come back out to pitch in the second inning when he was relieved in the first inning? Or did I read that wrong? Either way, move Louie to the pen ASAP...

I think the book is out on Louie.  I think he needs another pitch or something.  His mix just isn't playing anymore.

[wabene]

Just now, Dman said:

I think the book is out on Louie.  I think he needs another pitch or something.  His mix just isn't playing anymore.

 

Yes this just isn't good for his confidence anymore. Everybody seems to think he is a slam dunk out of the pen, but I remember some hard contact along with some big defensive plays when he was in the pen last year. Still have high hopes for him in that role and now would be the time to do it. Their starter depth is sketchy though with Festa and all, so I understand the reluctance.

[Trov]

45 minutes ago, Seth Stohs said:

Shuffield went on the IL, so he wasn't available to be that guy this time. 

Don't make too much about of Eeles being the choice. St. Paul is an offensive league. He'll probably put up numbers, just as guys like Shuffield and Prato and Mikey Perez and Ernie Yake have when sent there. There certainly is the aspect that he can handle it. He's mature. He takes the type of ABs that will translate into quality ABs there.  

It is interesting they had Eeles jump AA and not move someone from AA up to AAA and him up to AA though.  What I take from it is they see Eeles as a career minor league guy actually where others they want a more linier growth in their moving up leagues.  With Eeles skipping AA, for now, may be more of just need that he can fill more, or was closer to St. Paul to fill in.  

[Dman]

8 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

I actually think this is great minor league news for Eeles that they think this highly of him. But, look at the names Seth listed. This is terrible news for Eeles being an MLB prospect. The Twins never jump guys up two levels for players they view as true prospects (possible exception for end of year playoffs but that is almost always a one level bump).

I think it is only terrible news if he doesn't perform well there.  Shuffield would have been OK if he kept hitting, but injuries and poor performance have kept him from the upper levels except emergencies.  If Prato backed up his numbers from last year we all would be having a different conversation about him, but since he didn't things look pretty bad right now.  Yake and Perez weren't even on the same level as the others as they never hit that well anywhere.  They never had a year like Shuffield, Prato and now possibly like Eeles is having.

Eeles bat slowed down a tick at High A mainly in the power department but the walk to K ratio improved there.  He has really good contact skills although often times weak contact, but with his plate discipline he has a really good chance to hunt for good pitches to hit.  His underlying numbers all look good to support that he can continue to do well moving forward but the sample size is still small right now. He also has better speed than any of the others mentioned. We'll have to wait and see how he does, but just like Brooks Lee or any other prospect if he puts up the numbers and is consistent he'll make the top 30.

 

[FlyingFinn]

6 minutes ago, Dman said:

Shuffield would have been OK if he kept hitting,

Rare for us, but I disagree on this. In 2022, Shuffield got everyone excited because he had an OPS of .856 in St. Paul. He was healthy to start 2023 (correct me if I missed some injury) and started out the year in Fort Myers. Fairly or unfairly, these players get labeled as nothing more than minor leaguers IMO.

[Dman]

34 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

Rare for us, but I disagree on this. In 2022, Shuffield got everyone excited because he had an OPS of .856 in St. Paul. He was healthy to start 2023 (correct me if I missed some injury) and started out the year in Fort Myers. Fairly or unfairly, these players get labeled as nothing more than minor leaguers IMO.

He was on the 7 day injured list in 2023 by June 1st, but hadn't been performing well for a while so I would bet he was dealing with something before then,  He didn't come back until July 26th if I read the transaction log correctly.

2022 his overall OPS was .917 and it is all small sample size stuff, but for your first pro year\2months OPSing .856 at St Paul is pretty incredible. For perspective that is better than Lee did his first year at much lower levels (.849 at High A)  And better than Brooks first full year as a pro where he had a .732 OPS at AAA.

There was good reason to be excited about what Shuffield was able to do in that Small sample size it just didn't hold up.  If it had again we would be talking about him differently.

I do get your point though.  The odds of even a first round pick making it to MLB are not that great so imagine the the astronomical odds of an undrafted player making it.  The odds are very long that someone with good enough skills to be in MLB would get looked over. Still some players do beat the odds. (technically Randy Dobnak would be one)

Eeles has the skills that we all look for in guys in the top 30 he is just getting to be on the older side for being a prospect and along with that the sample size of the numbers is too small to know if he can support them as he moves up. I don't love that they bumped him to AAA, but if he handles it that would be quite the accomplishment IMO.

[roger]

1 hour ago, wabene said:

Yes this just isn't good for his confidence anymore. Everybody seems to think he is a slam dunk out of the pen, but I remember some hard contact along with some big defensive plays when he was in the pen last year. Still have high hopes for him in that role and now would be the time to do it. Their starter depth is sketchy though with Festa and all, so I understand the reluctance.

Strib said this morning that Festa was going back to St. Paul today.  Didn't have an answer on the other half of that move, but indicated that Paddack would be eligible to come off the IL on Monday when his next turn in the rotation comes around.

[FlyingFinn]

Just now, roger said:

Strib said this morning that Festa was going back to St. Paul today.  Didn't have an answer on the other half of that move, but indicated that Paddack would be eligible to come off the IL on Monday when his next turn in the rotation comes around.

Winder called up, probably for 3 days.

[roger]

Doesn't seem that anyone has a clue what is going on with Varland?

Saw that Jenkins played again and again was involved in their scoring.  Great seeing him getting on the field more often this week.

[Mike Sixel]

If st Paul is useless as an indicator of readiness,as Seth states, maybe they need to make a change, which they won't. 

Varland has to go to the bullpen at this point. 

[mikelink45]

What a lot of mixed thoughts come out of this.   Festa's failure so far has me wondering how we can evaluate minor league performances.  I see a lot of prospects coming up on other teams and doing well.  Do we need another strategy?

I hate seeing Varland struggle and I am delighted by Wallner, but don't know if he has changed enough to succeed again in MLB.  It sure feels like he should.

 

[jorgenswest]

2 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

If st Paul is useless as an indicator of readiness,as Seth states, maybe they need to make a change, which they won't. 

Varland has to go to the bullpen at this point. 

Is that what @Seth Stohs has said? It is an offensive league so the run scoring context is different. I think it is fair to say slash stats or ERA are not useful as an indicator of readiness. I do think AAA play is valuable and a good indicator for the trained eyes of the staff. The pitch level and swing level data may also show some indication of readiness or lack of readiness in a large enough sample.