Twins Minor League Report (7/30): Walker Jenkins' Kernels Debut; Jair Camargo Homers Twice

[Steve Lein]

Some top prospects were promoted to new levels over the weekend, including the top prospect in Walker Jenkins, who wasn’t being challenged much recently in the Florida State League (.314/.463/.471 in the last 28 days). There was also a walk-off win in one game, and a bonkers number of strikeouts in another.

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints (photo of Jair Camargo)

 

TRANSACTIONS
He’s back! The Twins selected the contract of RHP Randy Dobnak on Tuesday, bringing him back to the majors for the first time since the 2021 season. He’s been looking a lot like the guy who went from Low-A to the big leagues back in 2019 lately. (I also think he’s just one of the coolest dudes on the planet.)

SAINTS SENTINEL
St. Paul 5, Iowa 4
Box Score
The Saints took an early lead down in Des Moines, thanks to singles from Edouard Julien, Yunior Severino, and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. in the top of the first. Keirsey’s drove both of them in for a 2-0 lead before their starter ever took the mound.

On this day, that was Caleb Boushley, who did his best to scatter a bunch of hits over his 4 2/3 innings. A pair of doubles in the second brought the Cubs within one, before a pair of home runs in the fight put them up 3-2 and ended his night. In all, Boushley was charged with three earned runs on nine hits in his time, while striking out four.

Thankfully, his lineup had his back in the top of the sixth. Jair Camargo launched the second pitch of the inning over the fence in left field to tie it at three. It was his seventh home run of the season. After a pair of strikeouts, Patrick Winkel followed suit with a home run of his own to put them in front 4-3.

The Saints bullpen held it down for the next three innings. Ryan Jensen went 1 1/3 scoreless and hitless, striking out three. Justin Topa struck out two in a one-two-three seventh.

Looking for an insurance run, Camargo delivered again in the eight, hitting his second home run in his last two at-bats to make it 5-3 Saints.

Reliever Matt Bowman followed Topa by setting the Cubs down in order with two strikeouts of his own in the eighth.

In the bottom of the ninth the Cubs did get one run back on an RBI single from an #OldFriend in Gilberto Celestino, but Josh Winder also nabbed a liner back at him and struck out the final hitter of the game to pick up his fourth save with the Saints this season. 

Camargo (2-for-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 2 RBI, K), Keirsey Jr. (2-for-4, 2 RBI), and Winkel (2-for-4, R, HR, RBI, K) each had two hits for St. Paul. Julien finished 1-for-4 with a run scored and three strikeouts. Severino went 1-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base.

WIND SURGE WISDOM
NW Arkansas 4, Wichita 3
Box Score
For the first six innings of this one, the Wind Surge couldn’t find a hit. Naturals starter Tyson Guerrero had their number, as a walk to Aaron Sabato in the second inning was the only baserunner they were able to muster (and Sabato then got picked off).

Finally, with one out in the seventh, Jake Rucker delivered an infield single on a slow-roller to third. Basically, the one type of hit besides a bunt I’d be furious to lose a no-hitter on if I was a pitcher. Guerrero would finish the seventh, allowing just one hit, walking two, and striking out four.

But all was not lost, as Wichita’s starter Travis Adams was nearly as good. He matched Guerrero in the run column of the scoreboard for the first five innings. He ended up finishing six frames, allowing just one earned run as he scattered six hits and struck out four.

Mason Fox pitched a scoreless seventh, walking one, before the Naturals broke it open some against Ricardo Velez in the eighth. He was charged with three earned runs as he walked two, and then gave up a three-run bomb to make it 4-0. Scott Engler then worked a scoreless ninth with a pair of strikeouts.

Wichita's lineup didn’t accept their fate in the bottom of the ninth, however. Luke Keaschall drew a walk to lead off. Rucker and Ricardo Olivar, in his Double-A debut and batting third in the lineup, followed with singles to score their first run of the game.

An error then loaded the bases and Jeferson Morales took advantage by drawing a walk to make it 4-2. That put the tying run in scoring position and prompted a pitching change. A double-play ball off the bat of Sabato made it 4-3 with the tying run 90-feet away, but Tanner Schobel grounded out to end the game.

As a team the Wind Surge went just 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position, and left only four men on base.

KERNELS NUGGETS
Great Lakes 3, Cedar Rapids 4
Box Score
Despite receiving #1 prospect Walker Jenkins to their roster in advance of Tuesday’s series opener with the Loons, the Kernels also had trouble collecting hits like their double-A brothers for most of this game. Heading into the bottom of the ninth, they had just two, and were down 3-0.

John Klein made the start for Cedar Rapids and went the first 4 1/3 innings. After three walks and a sac fly to #OldFriend Noah Miller in the fifth, he was removed in favor of Jarret Whorff. In total, Klein was charged with three earned runs on three hits, four walks, and struck out four. 

While the Kernels had trouble finding those hits early on, they did pose some threats, getting runners in scoring position in each of the second and third innings. They also only struck out twice on the game, with both of those not occurring until the bottom of the eighth inning.

Thanks to the relief efforts of Whorff (1 2/3 IP, K), Rafael Marcano (2 IP, K), and A.J. Labas (1 IP, H), the Kernels lineup still had some spunk left in the bottom of the ninth.

Rayne Doncon got them in business with a one-out double. Kevin Maitan followed with his seventh home run of the season to put them on the scoreboard, down by one. Nate Baez kept it going with a single before a wild-pitch put the tying run in scoring position. Misael Urbina then traded spots with a double to tie the game, bringing Jose Salas to the plate.

He jumped on the first pitch of the at-bat and sent a liner into center, walking it off for the good guys!

The Kernels exploded for five of their seven hits on the game in the final inning, making sure they didn’t waste the fantastic effort from their pitchers, who surrendered just four hits of their own on the game.

Baez led the way with a 2-for-3 effort, scoring a run, driving in one, and reaching base on a walk. Walker Jenkins finished 0-for-3 with a strikeout in his Midwest League debut, playing center field, but did reach base when he was hit by a pitch in the sixth inning.

MUSSEL MATTERS
St. Lucie 4, Fort Myers 0
Box Score
If you are into strikeouts, this might be your favorite game ever.

The Mighty Mussels sent righty Paulshawn Pasqualotto to the mound Tuesday night to make his second start in a row, but it didn’t go as well as the last one, in which he finished four innings. He threw 34 total pitches, but only was able to record two outs. Thus, he was done after only 2/3 of an inning. He was charged with two earned runs on two hits and three walks. He did contribute to the fun of this game though, by striking out one.

That was all St. Lucie could muster in that first frame though, would Fort Myers be able to overcome it?

The short answer is no.

The lineup actually outhit the Mets six to five, but their opposition was 3-for-7 with runners in scoring position while they went 0-for-12, and left 11 men on base.

Poncho Ruiz and Rixon Wingrove contributed doubles to the effort, but neither ever made it to third base. The home team loaded the bases in the bottom of the second, but weren’t able to push a run across, mainly because they couldn't put the bat on the ball. In fact, there was only one inning where the Mighty Mussels didn’t strike out at least twice, and they went down on K’s 19 times total, which I’m somewhat surprised is only a season high.

However, their own pitching staff also set down a season high 16 Mets, as Wilker Reyes, Jack Noble, Tomas Cleto, and Juan Mercedes combined to throw 8 1/3 innings of stellar relief. Combined they allowed just three hits, two runs (both attributed to Mercedes in the ninth), two walks, and 15 K’s. Reyes had five in his 2 1/3 innings. Noble six in his three.

I’d be surprised if you could find a game at any level that has had more than 35 strikeouts total this season. In case you hate math, that equated to 65% of the outs that were recorded in the game, and nearly half the games total plate appearances.

Yohander Martinez was the only Mighty Mussels player to not walk back to the dugout from the batter's box at any point. He finished 1-for-2 with two walks out of the nine-hole in the lineup. Yasser Mercedes went 1-for-4 with a stolen base. I’ll let you guess what happened in his three other at-bats.

DOMINICAN DAILY
DSL Twins 10, DSL Miami 4
Box Score
The Twins struck for three runs in the opening frame as Merphy Hernandez and Daiber De Los Santos each drew a walk. After a strikeout Victor Leal launched his third home run of the season, putting them up 3-0.

Starting pitcher Santiago Rojas had a rough first inning himself, allowing four singles and a home run of his own that tied the game at three. If not for a baserunning error on the last of those singles, it could have been worse. But Rojas settled in from there, retiring the side in his next two innings, and putting up zeroes to finish his four frames. In all, he was charged with three earned runs on six hits and two walks, striking out five.

In the top of the fifth, the Twins took the lead after Luis Fragoza’s first home run of the year, a two-run shot to make it 5-3. They tacked on two more in the seventh after a double steal, and Irvin Nunez RBI double.

After Rojas' game was done, the next four innings came from right-hander Anderson Ramos. He gave up one earned run on two hits and one walk, while striking out four. Aaron Carranza finished off the ninth with a scoreless frame, surrendering one hit, one walk, and striking out one.

The Twins capped off the game’s scoring with three more in the top of the ninth. The first came on an RBI fielder’s choice from Ricardo Perez. The second on an RBI single from Luis Rodriguez, and the third on a bases loaded walk from Eduardo Beltre.

The Twins as a team stole eight bases and drew 12 walks, leading to the run explosion. Leal (2-for-6, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI) and Ramiro Dominguez (2-for-3, R, 2 BB, K) each had two hits. Fragoza finished 1-for-3 with two runs scored, two RBI, a walk, and three stolen bases. 

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Pitcher of the Day - Jack Noble, Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (3 IP, H, 6 K)
Hitter of the Day - Jair Camargo, St. Paul Saints (2-for-4, 2 R, 2 HR (8), 2 RBI, K)

PROSPECT SUMMARY
#1 – Walker Jenkins (Cedar Rapids) – 0-for-3, HBP, K
#2 – Brooks Lee (Minnesota) – 1-for-2, BB
#4 – David Festa (Minnesota) – L, 5 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, BB, 6 K
#5 – Gabriel Gonzalez (Cedar Rapids) – 0-for-3, BB, K
#8 – Austin Martin (Minnesota) – 0-for-2
#9 – Luke Keaschall (Wichita) – 0-for-3, R, BB, K
#10 – Brandon Winokur (Fort Myers) – 0-for-4, 2 K
#13 – Tanner Schobel (Wichita) – 0-for-4
#18 – Yunior Severino (St. Paul) – 1-for-4, R, 2 K, SB (2)
#20 – Ricardo Olivar (Wichita) – 1-for-3, R, RBI, BB

WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
St. Paul @ Iowa (12:08 PM CDT) - RHP Ronny Henriquez (1-2, 3.69 ERA)
NW Arkansas @ Wichita (7:05 PM CDT) - LHP Christian MacLeod (0-1, 5.79 ERA)
Great Lakes @ Cedar Rapids (12:05 PM CDT) - RHP Jeremy Lee (1-3, 3.55 ERA)
St. Lucie @ Fort Myers (6:05 PM CDT) - RHP Spencer Bengard (7-2, 1.64 ERA)

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

 

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[Patzky]

So Bowman and Topa seem like the next line of bullpen defense if needed..

[Dman]

I was only box score watching but I had the Kernal's down for a loss heading into the 9th down 3 runs.  They were going to have to go through the bottom of the order to win it and depending on Urbina, Salas and Hess to get hits against a likely closer or good arm seemed highly unlikely.  Checked back quite a bit later and had to check to make sure I was on the right day for scores because they so rarely come back from deficits in the 9th plus having our worst hitters up after Doncon and Maitan it seemed virtually impossible to me they could pull it off.  I guess every now and then good things happen regardless of trends and stats.  Was surprised but happy to see them get a come from behind win after losing several that way this season.

Nice to see Camargo hitting for power again.  Seems like it has been tough year injury wise for him.  Hopefully he is ready to start a hot streak.

I also hope Randy Dobnak is back and ready to put up solid numbers as a MLB pitcher.  He could still provide value to the team with the contract he has. They need to know if he is still has an MLB caliber arm or not and the only way to find out is to pitch him at the MLB level.

If it looks like he can hold a 5th starter spot the Twins could move Varland to the pen and they can round robin  Festa, SWR and Paddack to rest arms as needed.  If Dobnak is successful it would be like getting someone at the trade deadline. Not an ace but at least someone to give the rotation more depth. Hopefully it works out.

[Otaknam]

The drawing of the single? Now that’s funny! Good sense of humor!

[roger]

Excited to see what Jenkins does at the next higher level.  Also waiting for Prielipp to make his next start.

Checking box scores saw that the hitting stud for the Twins in the DSL is a 17 year old named Beltre.  Any relation to the guy we just saw in Cooperstown a few weeks ago?

[DJL44]

Wondering what it will take to get Bengard up to Cedar Rapids.

[LambchoP]

Nice to see Topa pitching well in AAA. Hopefully it won't be too much longer until we get him called up, we need the help. I also like the idea of a Dobnak/Festa or Festa/Dobnak opener or piggyback situation. Save the bullpen some innings and give Dobnak a chance to fight for a rotation spot. Another three strikeouts for Julien:(. What happened to him? He's striking out at like a 40 percent mark. He needs a total rework of his swing. Maybe send him down to A ball for awhile like they did with Sano years ago. Whatever he's doing this year is clearly not working. He is sapping his value away day after day...

[NotAboutWinning]

Is this the same Jair Camargo that just spent weeks on the Twins bench? 😉

[Steve Lein]

56 minutes ago, roger said:

Checking box scores saw that the hitting stud for the Twins in the DSL is a 17 year old named Beltre.  Any relation to the guy we just saw in Cooperstown a few weeks ago?

I don't believe there is any direct connection (I haven't seen any mention anywhere, which I think there would be) other than they are both from the Dominican Republic, near Santo Domingo. But I could be completely wrong.

[Steve Lein]

1 hour ago, Otaknam said:

The drawing of the single? Now that’s funny! Good sense of humor!

The Saints twitter account is one of the best there is, day in and day out!

[Steve Lein]

57 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Wondering what it will take to get Bengard up to Cedar Rapids.

His promotion to the Kernels was just announced!

Jarrett Whorff also sent to Wichita.