Twins Minor League Week in Review (4/8-4/14): Pitching Pipeline Pumping Along

[Cody Christie]

The Twins minor-league affiliates are off and running with some strong performance’s up and down the system. Let’s see how the last week played out down on the farm.

Image courtesy of Left: Rob Thompson (photo of Zebby Matthews), Top-Right: David Malamut (photo of Charlee Soto), William Parmeter (photo of Connor Prielipp)

 

MONDAY TRANSACTIONS 
RHP Xavier Kolhosser transferred to FCL Twins (Fort Myers)
INF Isaac Pena transferred to FCL Twins (Fort Myers)
RH RP Scott Blewett claimed by the Baltimore Orioles. 

 

NOTABLE TRANSACTIONS THIS WEEK
OF Walker Jenkins placed on 7-day IL with ankle injury (Wichita)
INF Kaelen Culpepper placed on 7-day IL with right wrist sprain (Cedar Rapids)
INF Rayne Doncon placed on 7-day IL with right oblique strain (Cedar Rapids)
LHP Ross Dunn placed on 7-day IL with left forearm strain (Cedar Rapids)
RHP Jack Noble placed on 7-day IL with right bicep strain (Cedar Rapids)
RHP Michael Ross placed on 7-day IL with neck strain (Fort Myers)
1B Aaron Sabato on rehab assignment in Fort Myers (Wichita)
LHP Richard Lovelady signed and assigned to St. Paul
INF Jose Miranda optioned to St. Paul
LHP Kody Funderburk recalled by the Twins
RHP David Festa recalled by Minnesota Twins

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE CONTENT

• Do the Twins Have Offensive Upgrades in the Minors?
• Has Luke Keaschall Surpassed Emmanuel Rodriguez as Minnesota Twins' Second-Best Prospect?
• Twins Minor League Report (4/13): The Mussels Flex Their New Starter and the Kernels Hang Ten...on Beloit
• Twins Minor League Report (4/12): Dasan Hill, Connor Prielipp Make Second Starts, but Aaron Rozek is Top Lefty on This Day
• Twins Minor League Report (4/11): Charlee Soto and the Chalk-Up-A-Lotta-Dubs Factory
• Twins Minor League Report (4/10): Kyler Fedko, John Klein Lead Wichita to Comeback Win, Saints Offensive Juggernaut Returns
• Minor League Report (4/9): Will Anyone Score on Andrew Morris?
• Twins Minor League Report (4/8): Good Night for The DBo Show, Strong Starts from Zebby Matthews and Dylan Questad Squandered

 

WEEK IN REVIEW
Triple-A: St. Paul Saints
Overall: 5-7 (5.5 games out of first)
Last Week: 3-3 vs Omaha 

• Zebby Matthews tied a career-high with nine strikeouts. He struck out at least one batter in each inning. He gave up just one hit through the first four innings and retired 12 of the 14 batters he faced. The only runs charged to him were on a misplayed ball by Yunior Severino. 
• Andrew Morris tossed five shutout innings including retiring eight of the final nine men he faced. He allowed four hits and walked two while striking out three. He has yet to allow a run in 10.0 innings to start the year. 
• Jair Camargo hit a two-run homer on Wednesday, his 34th home run in a Saints uniform. He is tied for fourth all-time in franchise history. 
• Carson McCusker hit his first home run of the year on Wednesday, and it turned out to be the difference in a one-run game. On Friday, he hit another homer, a two-run shot, that was the difference in that game. 
• On Thursday, the Saints exploded for 13 runs. Eight different Saints collected a hit, 10 different players scored a run, and seven guys knocked in a run as the Saints pounded out 16 hits, six of them doubles one shy of tying the franchise record.
• Luke Keaschall hit his first Triple-A home run on Friday. He finished the game 2-for-2 with a home run, two RBI, and two runs scored. 
• In a bullpen game, Alex Speas was dominant. Outside of the single in the fourth, he retired six batters in a row, five on strikeouts, tying a career-high. He went 2 1/3 shutout innings allowing one hit and striking out five.
• In the same game, Kyle Bischoff went two hitless, scoreless innings while walking two and striking out five. He threw a career-high 43 pitches. 
• Diego Cartaya ended an 0-13 slump to start the year with a solo home run on Saturday. 

What’s Next: The Saints head on the road for a six-game series against the Iowa Cubs in Des Moines. The following week, they have eight home games in six days to make up for postponed games from earlier in the season. 

Double-A: Wichita Wind Surge
Overall: 6-3 (1.0 game out of first)
Last Week: 5-1 vs Midland 

• This series marked the first time Wichita had won five games in a series since August 22-28, 2023. 
• Walker Jenkins experienced “renewed stiffness” in his left ankle, according to Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll. It’s the same ankle that Jenkins sprained early in spring training, causing him to miss much of camp.
• Tanner Schobel had a six-game hitting streak snapped on Sunday. During that stretch, he had two multi-hit games. He’s only been held hitless in two games so far this season.
• Kyler Fedko had a three hit game on Thursday and hit his first home run of the season on Friday. 
• John Klein picked up his first win of the season. He pitched three hitless relief innings while striking out five. 
• Trent Baker allowed one run on four hits with three strikeouts and two walks. He pitched four innings and lowered his season ERA to 1.29. 
• Mike Paredes has yet to allow a run this season in relief. On Wednesday, he pitched 3 1/3 shutout innings with one hit, one walk, and three strikeouts. 
• Darren Bowen was dominant in his Double-A debut. In five innings, he allowed one run on three hits with five strikeouts and no walks. On Sunday, he returned and allowed one earned run on four hits in four innings. 
• Aaron Rozek tossed 5 1/3 innings by allowing one earned run on four hits with five strikeouts. 
• Rubel Cespedes had one game with two-hits including a home run, a double, and three RBI. Earlier in the week, he had six total bases with a home run, a double, and four RBI. He has a 1.137 OPS in 24 AB. 
• What’s Next: The Wind Surge face the Tulsa Drillers in a six-game road series that begins on Tuesday. 

High-A: Cedar Rapids Kernels
Overall: 6-3 (Tied for 1st in the Midwest League West)
Last Week: 4-2 vs Beloit 

• Jose Olivares, in his Cedar Rapids debut, did not give up a run in 4 2/3 innings of work, allowing just one hit while posting six strikeouts.
• Wilker Reyes pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings on Wednesday. He allowed one hit with one walk and four strikeouts. 
• Billy Amick and Gabriel Gonzalez each had three hit games in Thursday night’s loss. 
• Charlee Soto allowed just one hit across five scoreless innings with six strikeouts and no walks. He retired 15 of the 16 batters he faced in his home debut. On Monday, Soto was named the Midwest League's Pitcher of the Week. 
• Caden Kendle hit his first professional home run, a solo shot in Friday’s game. Later in that game, he doubled and came around to score the go-ahead run. 
• Spencer Bengard allowed just one run across four innings of relief on Saturday. He struck out five.
• Kyle DeBarge had a three-hit game on Saturday including a triple, three runs scored, and two stolen bases. He followed it up with another multi-hit effort on Sunday. He’s hitting over .350 for the season. 

What’s Next: Cedar Rapids heads on the road for a six-game series against the Peoria Chiefs. 

Low-A: Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
Overall: 4-5 (2.0 games out of first)
Last Week: 3-3

• Dylan Questad dazzled in his Florida State League debut, spinning five scoreless innings, allowing just two base runners on one hit and one walk with eight strikeouts.
• Dameury Pena drove in three runs with a sacrifice fly and a single on Wednesday.
• Jacob Kisting struck out six batters in a row in relief to help Fort Myers escape a tough spot. 
• On a rehab assignment from Double-A, Christian MacLeod made a start on Thursday and finished with four strikeouts across two scoreless frames. 
• Pieson Ohl, also rehabbing from Wichita, followed MacLeod. He picked up a pair of strikeouts, scattering one hit across two shutout innings.
• Byron Chourio has been a threat at the top of the lineup with five leadoff walks and two steals. 
• Yasser Mercedes drove in a pair of runs as part of a multi-hit effort on Friday.
• Cole Peschl made his Florida State League debut and earned a four inning save. He struck out four and only saw an unearned run score against him.
• Dasan Hill made his home debut and allowed one run on three hits with six strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings.
• Jason Doktorczyk went 3 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out four in relief of Hill.
• On Sunday, Devin Kirby, Zander Sechrist and Hunter Hoopes combined for six scoreless innings out of the bullpen, allowing just five hits while striking out eight. The Mussels’ bullpen did not allow a run for the second consecutive game.

What’s Next: The Mighty Mussels continue their home schedule with a six-game series against the Bradenton Marauders. 

PROSPECT SUMMARY
Check out the Prospect Tracker for much more on our Twins Top 20 prospects. And, be sure to note the new, updated Top 20 rankings. Roster assignments below are subject to change as some players have yet to be assigned or are in Extended Spring Training. 

1. Walker Jenkins (Wichita): On injured list
2. Emmanuel Rodriguez (St. Paul): 5-21, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, 8 K
3. Luke Keaschall (St. Paul): 3-17, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 4 R, 6 BB, 6 K
4. Charlee Soto (Cedar Rapids): 5 IP, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
5. Andrew Morris (St. Paul): 5 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
6. Marco Raya (St. Paul): 2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
7. Kaelen Culpepper (Cedar Rapids): 3-9, 2 2B, 0 BB, 1 K (placed on IL)
8. Brandon Winokur (Cedar Rapids): 5-24, 1 2B, 4 RBI, 5 BB, 6 K, 2 SB
9. Cory Lewis (St. Paul): 3 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
10. Connor Prielipp (Wichita): 2.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
11. Dasan Hill (Fort Myers): 3.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 6 K
12. C.J. Culpepper (Wichita): On IL
13. Kyle DeBarge (Cedar Rapids): 8-23, 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 RBI, 7 R, 7 BB, 4 K, 5 SB
14. Eduardo Beltre (DSL Twins): In Extended Spring Training
15. Yasser Mercedes (Fort Myers): 5-19, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 5 K, 3 SB
16. Rayne Doncon (Cedar Rapids): 0-9, 0 BB, 6 K (placed on IL)
17. Billy Amick (Cedar Rapids): 8-19, 2 2B, 6 RBI, 2 R, 7 BB, 5 K 
18. Kala’i Rosario (Wichita): 2-19, 1 RBI, 12 K, 0 BB, 1 SB
19. Gabriel Gonzalez (Cedar Rapids): 6-22, 2 2B, 4 RBI, 3 R, 3 BB, 2 K
20. Ricardo Olivar (Wichita): 4-20, 2 R, 1 BB, 3 K

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Hitter of the Week: Kyle DeBarge, Cedar Rapids
8-23 (.348), 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 RBI, 7 R, 7 BB, 4 K, 5 SB

Pitcher of the Week: Dylan Questad, Fort Myers
5.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 8 K

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[FlyingFinn]

So many great pitching performances by our top rated pitchers. Keep it up!

Bummer for Martin getting injured. He was really having a good week. Schobel with a very nice week. Kendle, Amick and DeBarge with great weeks.

Jeferson Morales - had a great spring but he had a tough week along with Rosario, Olivar and the Cardenas/Cossetti catching combo. So much hope for those two catchers last April and their bats have been dead since. Bummer!

[Dman]

Those high school arms are all doing well so far.  Soto, Questad, and Hill are all putting up good numbers.  I like it when they take chances on High school arms to mix in with the later college arms and it looks like it might pay off big time for them. 

Have to say after last year watching Questad and his 2.26 WHIP pitch was not all that fun.  What a difference a year makes as his first outing he allowed zero runs and he owns a  50% K rate and .40 WHIP. It is a heck of a start to the season and really changes my perspective of him.

Soto with a 0.0 ERA good K9 and . 67 WHIP is dominant as well.  He struggled with strikes in the cold in the first inning of his first start and since then has just been pounding the zone with great results so far.  Some 100mph heaters is nice to see as well.

Hill for his pro debut has been sensational so far. He has a 50% K rate and .82 WHIP in the 7 innings he has pitched. He has given up just one run each game for a 1st year rookie at A ball that is impressive.

Hope the Twins keep grabbing HS arms in the draft.

[mikelink45]

Good for the Orioles – we messed up when we DFA’d Blewett and I resisted the obvious words when I write this – but I thought about it?

It looks like half the Cedar Rapids team is on the IL.  What is it with health and Twins prospects?

Get Zebby up – put Paddack in the BP – he will be gone next year, let’s start working towards a better future.

I am for Keaschall, Camargo, and McCusker to come up and give us a youth infusion.

Give Mike Parades a shot at the Twins BP.

[LambchoP]

1 hour ago, mikelink45 said:

Good for the Orioles – we messed up when we DFA’d Blewett and I resisted the obvious words when I write this – but I thought about it?

It looks like half the Cedar Rapids team is on the IL.  What is it with health and Twins prospects?

Get Zebby up – put Paddack in the BP – he will be gone next year, let’s start working towards a better future.

I am for Keaschall, Camargo, and McCusker to come up and give us a youth infusion.

Give Mike Parades a shot at the Twins BP.

Totally agree. Sure looks like a lost season, so they may as well plan on calling up guys that look ready. They have to let guys like Paddack, Castro, Vasquez and anyone else that is going to be gone next year play a little bit hoping they do well enough that we can dump them for anything at all at the deadline. After the all-star break though, let Zebby, Festa and Morris get some starts. Call up Rodriguez, Keaschal, Mccusker and Camargo and anyone else who is hitting and see if they are what we hope they are. The experience they gain this year could be very valuable when we inevitably are forced to start them next year. 

[DJL44]

2 minutes ago, LambchoP said:

Totally agree. Sure looks like a lost season, so they may as well plan on calling up guys that look ready. They have to let guys like Paddack, Castro, Vasquez and anyone else that is going to be gone next year play a little bit hoping they do well enough that we can dump them for anything at all at the deadline. After the all-star break though, let Zebby, Festa and Morris get some starts. Call up Rodriguez, Keaschal, Mccusker and Camargo and anyone else who is hitting and see if they are what we hope they are. The experience they gain this year could be very valuable when we inevitably are forced to start them next year. 

Yep, showcase the veterans for trade. Boston needs a catcher right now and they have a positive history with Vazquez. I'd be calling them daily to let them know he's available.

[jmlease1]

Some nice hitting performances at cedar rapids to start the season. Good to see things going well from Amick, deBarge, GG, and Culpepper (hope he's not out long!).

The early season injuries in the minors is a bit concerning. hope there's nothing too significant?

[Mike Sixel]

I'd love to know what position some of the guys are playing, since they refuse to have a guy play one position....

[bean5302]

It's nice to see Gabriel Gonzalez starting off well. I'd like to see him fast tracked to AA if he keeps up the performance to see if he can regain some prospect status.

Last year was disappointing as he fell way down the prospects list throughout an injury riddled, weak performance 2024 repeat of A+. That said, he certainly improved vs. his 2023 run at A+ ball. Maybe it's just taken him a while to adjust?

[tony&rodney]

5 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

It's nice to see Gabriel Gonzalez starting off well. I'd like to see him fast tracked to AA if he keeps up the performance to see if he can regain some prospect status.

Last year was disappointing as he fell way down the prospects list throughout an injury riddled, weak performance 2024 repeat of A+. That said, he certainly improved vs. his 2023 run at A+ ball. Maybe it's just taken him a while to adjust?

FWIW, I watched 4 of his at bats this season. Gonzalez looks way better, more balanced, than at any time last year. His bat is his tool. Last season he was the singular worst outfielder playing professionally I think I have ever seen. I only saw him scoop up a base hit and throw it to the cutoff man this year, but he actually came in on the ball and actively used his glove on the play. Improvement happens in dribbles at times. He does look like he could hit. The question becomes whether he will ever be more than a DH. Whoever rated him highly before was watching him hit only and had not seen him play in the field. 

[TwinsFan98]

20 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Good for the Orioles – we messed up when we DFA’d Blewett and I resisted the obvious words when I write this – but I thought about it?

It looks like half the Cedar Rapids team is on the IL.  What is it with health and Twins prospects?

Get Zebby up – put Paddack in the BP – he will be gone next year, let’s start working towards a better future.

I am for Keaschall, Camargo, and McCusker to come up and give us a youth infusion.

Give Mike Parades a shot at the Twins BP.

The Twins made a major mistake letting Blewett go. Sad thing is we could have kept him up here, but no we had to use up a 40 man spot on an injured Matt Canterino, who we could have just moved to the 60 day IL.