Twins Minor League Report (5/27): Kyler Fedko is Surging, Matt Wallner Homers Again on Rehab

[Mike Sixel]

20 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

Did you know how many rehab games Wallner should have gotten before He went to Saint Paul? Are you sure he didn't need any?

If he needed a rehab assignment to get his timing back, the Twin win the series against TB, and he's back against Seattle, then we're literally talking about 1 game...and I don't think having Wallner in the lineup would have fixed the Twins giving up 7 runs.

I'm curious where I said he needed zero rehab. We don't know what would happen yesterday or today before the decision is made not to promote him, though. We're going to disagree. I'm ok with that. 

[Dman]

50 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

I wonder what the Twins intend with Pierson Ohl? Past due for AAA now, but he gives up too many hits to project well. Seems like he's staying in the zone way, way too much. 71.2% zone rate here in 52 pitches, 37 were in the zone. In MiLB, seems like Ohl's stuff is good enough to generate a lot of foul balls from pitches in the zone, but it actually just leads to him being surprisingly inefficient considering how much he pounds the zone. Those foul balls won't stay foul in MLB, either. He'll get himself destroyed throwing 71% in the zone, though Ohl's locations look pretty good most of the time.

Should be able to find some space in the AAA rotation by bumping Raya and/or Lewis.

Yeah if he could find an out pitch I like him as a pen arm.  I don't think he has the stuff to make it in the rotation.  He needs a swing and miss pitch preferably a good changeup low and away.

[Jeff K]

5 hours ago, Steve Lein said:

That's in there. Definitely a good sign for him. Is there something further you're implying?

Unless his glove improves, he can stay there.

[DocBauer]

Best thibg in the entire report is CJ Culpepper back on the mound and throwing again! I don't know if he's going to start at the ML level, or if he's got stud potential as a reliever who may be able to get both sides out. (6 pitches). But he needs to get healthy and back to AA ASAP and still get in over half a season. He should be targeted for AAA in 2026...if not sooner...if healthy and ready to go again. 

I never really understood the Fedko selection as it didn't seem like he had any singular skill to hang his cap on, other than maybe OB%. And until this season, that's pretty much been the case. Having to repeat a level and then climbing the ladder at that level isn't a disappointment. But that's more common for 19-20-21yo's. How do the Twins feel about a late blooming 25yo at AA having his best season so far? On his current pace, he'd double or triple just about every significant career mark as a pro.

As a fan i have no problem with a late bloomer who can do a bit of everything and cover all 3 OF spots as a bench contributor. But it's almost like a different player when you compare 2025 to all other seasons. Good for him! But im betting he doesn't hit AAA until the 2nd half.

[Jamie Cameron]

On 5/28/2025 at 10:21 AM, Steve Lein said:

Well, can certainly make an argument. The three hit game is nice, but Miranda definitely hasn't been knocking down the door recently. That's why I say it was perhaps a good sign, but I'd need to see much more of that, personally.

I am not too versed on LaViolette, but have seen a few notes about him recently. Like his batting average this season is significantly below the averages of first round hitters in the last 20+ years. I would bet our own @Jamie Cameron would have some better intel, though!

Laviolette was the consensus number one prospect in this class coming in and just hasn't hit. I'm personally not a fan of prospects with his profile. It's massive power, he's a good athlete, good approach (rarely chases) but there's also real swing and miss in the zone and his swing looked really stiff this year.

One basic trend I tend to pay really close attention to with draft prospects is general improvement trends. Models pay attention to age and level adjusted numbers, so you want to see a first round SEC bat improve year-over-year.

Lav was 146 wRC+ last year, 119 this year. He also exceeds the type of college K% I'd be comfortable with. IF he hits as a pro, he could be a monster, I just have real doubts about whether that will be the case.