Twins Minor League Report (6/27): Edouard Julien Lifts Saints; Kyle Fedko Powers Surge

[Tom Froemming]

CURRENT W-L Records
Minnesota Twins: 40-42
St. Paul Saints: 35-41
Wichita Wind Surge: 40-33
Cedar Rapids Kernels: 42-31
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels: 31-40
FCL Twins: 24-13
DSL Twins: 5-13

TRANSACTIONS
Royce Lewis joined the Saints on a rehab assignment. He suffered a left hamstring strain on June 13.

SAINTS SENTINEL 
St. Paul 6, Louisville 5
Box Score

 

Louisville manufactured a run in the top of the ninth inning to take the lead but the Saints were ready with a response. Payton Eeles led off the bottom of the ninth with a single, followed by a Jeferson Morales six-pitch walk. Will Holland managed to get a sacrifice bunt down on a 99.5 mph sinker to advance both runners into scoring position. Noah Cardenes didn’t have to do much to get the speedy Eeles in from third.

Cardenes hit a weak grounder toward the shortstop that the third baseman cut off. He was out at first on a bang-bang play, but Eeles scampered home to score the tying run. After Anthony Prato was hit with a 100.6 mph fastball, Edouard Julien lined the second pitch he saw just over the leaping second baseman to give the Saints a walk-off win. 

 

 

It was Julien’s only hit of the night, but he’s been a standout performer in June. He has a .305/.436/.537 line so far this month for the Saints, a .973 OPS.

Also tonight, Cory Lewis had by far his best outing of the season. Not only did he go five innings for the first time in 2025, he only gave up one run on two hits. He walked two batters and struck out six. 

As Cody Christie wrote about yesterday, Lewis has pivoted from a pitcher who mixes in a knuckleball to using that unique offering as his primary pitch. Of his 75 pitches tonight, Lewis threw the knuckler 41 times. Despite a lack of premium velocity, Lewis was able to baffle lower-level hitters without having to rely much on the knuckleball. That’s not been the case in Triple-A, and it’s great to see him finding a new way to be successful. 

Royce Lewis was 0-for-3 with a strikeout as the DH in the first game of his rehab assignment.

 

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Springfield 10, Wichita 7
Box Score

Connor Prielipp got knocked around tonight, but his defense also let him down a couple times. Springfield loaded the bases with two outs, but what should have been an inning-ending groundout to third was an error instead. The Cardinals scored two runs on that error, then two more on a liner through the middle. 

Prielipp faced the minimum in the second inning, but gave up a leadoff single followed by a two-run homer in the third inning. While the error in the first inning definitely hurt, there were just a lot of balls in play. Springfield seemed to be seeing the ball well against Prielipp, who only struck out one of the 18 batters he faced tonight.

The Wind Surge lineup battled back to tie the game at 7-7 in the bottom of the fifth. The score remained tied until the Cardinals tallied three runs in the top of the ninth inning. Kyler Fedko had a monster game, going 3-for-4 with two home runs, the first being a grand slam off top Cardinals pitching prospect Tink Hence.

 

Fedko is up to 16 home runs in 64 games played this year after hitting just three in 76 games last season. He also drove in six runs tonight, giving him 44 RBIs. That’s up from just 21 last season. It’s a monster power breakout from Fedko, who is hitting .262/.380/.515 (.895 OPS).

Walker Jenkins reached safely four times, going 2-for-3 with a pair of walks. He also stole his fifth base in 10 games with Wichita.

KERNELS NUGGETS
Game 1: Cedar Rapids 6, South Bend 5
Box Score

This was a continuation of yesterday’s game, which was postponed in the third inning. The Kernels trailed 5-0 at that point. They didn’t take long to erase that deficit today.

The Cedar Rapids lineup put together a great two-out rally in the bottom of the third inning. Misael Urbina drew an eight-pitch walk before singles from Kyle DeBarge and Brandon Winokur. Then Danny De Andrade blasted the first pitch he saw for an opposite-field game-tying grand slam. DeBarge put the Kernels up with an RBI double in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Jose Olivares took over on the mound for the Kernels when the game restarted today and was the only pitcher they needed to finish it off. The 22-year-old right-hander delivered six innings for the second straight outing, and held his opponent scoreless for the fifth time this season. He yielded just three hits, walked two batters and tallied seven strikeouts. 

Things got hairy in the ninth inning. Trying to protect a one-run lead, Olivares walked the leadoff man, then gave up a single. He responded by getting a massive strikeout followed by a ground out to first base and a fly out to left field to end it. 

Game 2: South Bend 12, Cedar Rapids 4
Box Score
Kernels starter Jeremy Lee got off to a very rough start and Wilker Reyes couldn’t help out much as the first man out of the bullpen. The Cubs tallied all 12 of their runs in the first three innings.

Billy Amick was 2-for-4 with a double and was the only Cedar Rapids hitter with a mutli-hit game. Kyle DeBarge stole his 41st base of the season. He’s 41-for-42 on stolen base attempts this season and has a total of 56 steals in 92 games. 

MUSSEL MATTERS
Tampa 5, Fort Myers 3
Box Score

 

Tampa scored all their runs in the first two innings, as Mussels starter Dylan Questad struggled to find the strike zone (again). He walked five batters in his three innings of work, hit another, and threw less than 50 percent of his pitches for strikes.

While the rest of the Fort Myers pitching staff did great — two innings each from Brennen Oxford and Ivran Romero followed by a frame from Zander Sechrist — the lineup couldn’t get much going. Tampa starter Xavier Rivas struck out 13 batters in 5 2/3 innings without issuing a walk.

Byron Chourio and Angel Del Rosario were the only Mighty Mussels with multi-hit games. Del Rosario also stole his 26th base of the season.

 

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
Postponed due to rain. Makeup on July 4.

DOMINICAN DAILIES
DSL Twins 15, DSL Tigers (1) 3
Box Score

Among the methods in which the DSL Twins scored runs were a bases-loaded hit by pitch, two throwing errors and two wild pitches. Dominican Summer League baseball, ladies and gentlemen!

The Twins also did some damage with their bats, of course. Cristian Bonifacio, a 17-year-old Dominican, hit his first pro homer. Carlos Taveras reached safely four times, going 2-for-3 with a double and a pair of walks.

On the mound, Santiago Castellanos continued a stellar start to his pro career. The Venezuelan right-hander pitched four near perfect innings while striking out seven batters. He didn’t surrender any hits or walks, but he did hit a couple of batters. Castellanos has a 1.32 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 17 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings so far this season.

 

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY 
Pitcher of the Day: Jose Olivares, Cedar Rapids (6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K)
Hitter of the Day: Kyler Fedko, Wichita (3-for-4, 2 HR, BB, 6 RBI, 3 R)

PROSPECT SUMMARY
Check out the Prospect Tracker for more. 

1. Walker Jenkins (Wichita): 2-for-3, 2 BB, 2 R, SB (5), K
4. Kaelen Culpepper (Wichita): 1-for-4, BB, R, SB (1), 2 K
5. Connor Prielipp (Wichita): 3 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
9. Brandon Winokur (Cedar Rapids): 2-for-8, R, K
10. Kyle DeBarge (Cedar Rapids): 3-for-7, 2 2B, BB, SB (41), 2 R, 3 RBI, K
12. Billy Amick (Cedar Rapids): 2-for-8, 2B, R, RBI, 2 K
13. Gabriel Gonzalez (Wichita): 1-for-4, BB, K
17. Cory Lewis (St. Paul): 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 6 K
19. Danny De Andrade (Cedar Rapids): 2-for-8, GS HR, R, 4 RBI, 4 K
20. Payton Eeles (St. Paul): 2-for-3, BB, 2 R, K

TOMORROW’S PROBABLE STARTERS
St. Paul vs. Louisville, 4:07 pm CT: Marco Raya
St. Paul vs. Louisville, Game 2: José Ureña
Wichita vs. Springfield, 6:05 pm CT: Darren Bowen
Cedar Rapids vs. South Bend, 6:35 pm CT: Cole Peschl
Fort Myers at Tampa, 5:30 pm CT: Dasan Hill
FCL Twins at FCL Red Sox, 9 am CT: TBD
DSL Twins vs. DSL Marlins, 9 am CT: TBD

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[FlyingFinn]

Jenkins with 5 SB now. That ankle is fine.

[Doctor Gast]

I loved Julien playing at 1B (there's hope now that he might make it back to MLB), Martin at 2B (that's where one of our greatest needs is), & Eeles showed his flexibility at CF. C Lewis had a good game, a great game that the BP made look close. 

[tony&rodney]

Royce Lewis looked better than he did in his last stint with the Saints. He still doesn't have his legs totally under him. I remain hopeful for the Twins to let him heal this time.

[rdehring]

DeBarge walks and promptly steals his 41st base of the season.  Seems like a walk is the same as a double for this guy.  

Good seeing the article explain that Prielipp's start wasn't as bad as the score indicated.  Will second Finn's comment above about Jenkins getting his 5th stolen base in what, ten games?  Not only is he healthy, but sure seems speed is part of his game.  Hopefully, he doesn't pump iron all winter so he is no longer fast.

[jmlease1]

Fedko is having a terrific season. Interesting player, seems to be one of those guys that needs that second look at a level in order to figure it out? He struggled in his first stint at Ft. Myers, then hit well in his second shot. Same thing at Cedar Rapids. Doing the same thing now at Wichita. The power breakout this year is intriguing, and he's always been good at grabbing walks. At his age, he's never going to make a prospect list, but he might be an intriguing late bloomer who could add some right-sided thump. Hope he gets a chance at AAA this season (especially if he stays a guy who needs an offseason or something to make adjustments to a new level!)

DeBarge is doing DeGreat! Only concern is whether he's making enough contact; the low BA makes me a little nervous. Without more pop in his bat he'll get less of those easy BB's at higher levels of the minors. He's clearly got the ability to swipe bags (though pitchers in the minors are generally iffy at holding guys on and a lot of the catching isn't impressive at throwing guys out either) but that speed won't play if he's not getting on base. Still some work to do to get that promotion, I think. But he's young and doing fine for the level in his first full season of pro ball.

Going to be interesting to see who gets the call back up to MLB first: Julien or Martin. Julien would likely offer more as a hitter, based on their previous exploits in MLB, and Ed looks locked in and striking the ball with confidence again. Martin gives a little more positional flexibility, and is seen as a more quality runner (though Julien has been a fine baserunner and swiper bags efficiently in the minors) which might make more sense for one of the last spots on the bench. Good problem to have?

Either way, would rather have either of them back in MLB over Kiersey (who can't hit) or Bride (who can't hit).

[FlyingFinn]

28 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

Either way, would rather have either of them back in MLB over Kiersey (who can't hit) or Bride (who can't hit).

Their problem is currently that Royce is on his way back and Keaschall is scheduled back in July. Julien and Martin will need to be hot when the next injury occurs.

[Dman]

I know it is just the DSL, but if you follow the box scores there, you will notice the young pitchers get beat up pretty bad.  Especially the the 16 to 17 year old's.  Santiago Castellanos is just 16 years old and has been dominant so far.  Having no walks in a game is a feat in itself at that age, but no runs and no hits with 7 K's is special.  Doing that as one of the youngest pitchers in that league I don't think I have ever seen someone do that.  Granted this is the DSL, but given his fantastic start he looks like he could be a special player.

Oliveras with another dominant outing.  Man. when I went to Beloit he couldn't get out of the first inning and then he pitches 6 no run innings last night.  Wish I could have seen something like that. The walk rate is still a bit high and it seems like it is because he likes to play low in the zone and sometimes he doesn't get those close low strike calls and or hitters don't chase.  Fangraphs believes he gets added to the 40 man at the end of this year because the stuff is just too good.  I am not so sure.  We'll see what the rest of the season looks like.  Still it is good to see him doing well and while I still am not sure he makes it as a starter he has great fastball for the pen.

While I get the Conner Prielipp love the results this year are not matching the hype IMO.  It is odd to me that the two pitchers with supposedly the best stuff in the system give up so many hits.  Raya gives up hits and runs like crazy.  While Prielipp hasn't given up as many runs he has given up 47 hits in just 37 innings and his WHIP is a horrible 1.46. His K rate is more pedestrian at AA as well. That doesn't equate to bat missing stuff in my opinion.  I get it.  He is still working on stuff and getting his legs\arms back under him as he hasn't pitched many innings his entire career, but there seems like a lot of work to be done with sequencing and control.  I guess the most important thing for him is to just get through the season healthy, but he has me losing a little faith right now.

Nice to see Jullien with a big hit and getting his confidence back.  He has a near 1.000 OPS in June. I'd give him some more time at AAA, but if the Twins are sellers at the deadline there should be room for him on the 26 man.

I was about to write a week or two ago that Fedko was slumping and fading and that his hot start was more mirage than reality.  He has really picked it up this last week and is real close to that .900 OPS he has been sporting most of this year.  That new found power is going to give him a chance at the MLB level.  He just needs to stay consistent and he could get a shot.

[LambchoP]

Glad they are playing Julien at 1b. If France gets dealt at the deadline we might see Julien and Clemens playing first base. Unless we can get a true first baseman, which would be nice. Who is this Fedko guy?! I've never heard of him, but if this breakout is real that would be a great development. Glad Jenkins looks healthy. Five steals in ten games is impressive. Maybe he ends up as more of a speed over power guy....

[jkcarew]

Can we end the apologizing for the Prielipp hiccups, please. The start was bad. Period. The error notwithstanding, he allowed 9 of 18 batters to reach…with a HR and double mixed in there. He struck out 1 of 18 batters…1 of 18 makes Randy Dobnack look like Nolan Ryan.

The lengths we go to to preserve the ‘dominant’ narrative for some prospects often approaches the absurd. He’s a 24-year-old guy with a very good arm, and a significant injury history, who’s still in AA learning to pitch, and build up as a potential starter, at the professional level. He hasn’t been great, he hasn’t been dominating.

[alexlegge]

At this point, there's no reason to keep both Keirsey and Bride on the active MLB roster. Frankly, I see little reason to keep either for much longer. Even summing their OPSs together yields a number barely above league average (.735). Pathetic.

Julien deserves another shot, and he allows Castro to be a much more flexible super-utility man. No need for an extra utility man who can't hit. 

This team functions better when there's a core group of position players sharing starting time collectively rather than a dividing line between regulars and bench-warmers. 

[roger]

2 hours ago, alexlegge said:

At this point, there's no reason to keep both Keirsey and Bride on the active MLB roster. Frankly, I see little reason to keep either for much longer. Even summing their OPSs together yields a number barely above league average (.735). Pathetic.

Julien deserves another shot, and he allows Castro to be a much more flexible super-utility man. No need for an extra utility man who can't hit. 

This team functions better when there's a core group of position players sharing starting time collectively rather than a dividing line between regulars and bench-warmers. 

Expect both will be gone when Lewis and Keaschall return, hopefully soon.

[Blyleven2011]

13 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

I loved Julien playing at 1B (there's hope now that he might make it back to MLB), Martin at 2B (that's where one of our greatest needs is), & Eeles showed his flexibility at CF. C Lewis had a good game, a great game that the BP made look close. 

Is he playing exclusively at first  ???

[DJL44]

2 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Is he playing exclusively at first  ???

Julien played 2B tonight, poorly.

[Doctor Gast]

8 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Is he playing exclusively at first  ???

It's the 1st time that I've noted for a long time.

[alexlegge]

16 hours ago, roger said:

Expect both will be gone when Lewis and Keaschall return, hopefully soon.

Why not promote Julien right now and send one of them down? Julien has been putting together better at-bats with the Saints for weeks now. Even before he was demoted, his bat played more than Jonah Bride's or DaShawn Kiersey's....

If there's actually a roster crunch by the time both Lewis and Keaschall return, it means Julien is doing well and nobody else has been hurt - i.e. a good problem to have