Twins Minor League Report (8/17): Several Hitters Shine on a Wild Day Across Twins System

[Seth Stohs]

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson (photo of Aaron Sabato)

A couple of weeks ago, I tweeted about going to a local convenience store. The cashier, the guy standing in line behind me, and the person in the working in the deli did not know who Janet Jackson is. I was in awe. While I find those types of scenarios hilarious when they happen to other people, but it made me feel really old. 

When trying to think of an introduction to this article, my first thought was The Festrunk Brothers, the "Wild and Crazy Guys" from the 1970s skit on Saturday Night Live. I didn't actually watch them in the '70s but am old enough to know who they are since I became an SNL fan in the early '90s. But I do apologize to those reading this who just don't get the reference because I'm old. 

Here we go... 

On Sunday afternoon, the Twins had an easy win against the Tigers. When it comes to the minor-league affiliates of the Twins and their games, all four of them were wild and crazy. They were regular-season games, but each was filled with dramatic swings, clutch performances, offenses that refused to give up. There were a couple of multi-homer games. There were late-inning rallies. 

TRANSACTIONS
OF Alan Roden was transferred from the 7-Day to the 60-Day Injured List. That allowed the Twins to add LHP Genesis Cabrera to the 40-man roster. They did that because he was also called up to the 26-man roster. To make room for him there, the Twins optioned RHP Travis Adams. 

Kernels RHP Spencer Bengard, who last pitched in late May, began a rehab assignment with the Mighty Mussels on Sunday afternoon. 

SAINTS SENTINEL
St. Paul 11, Omaha 12
Box Score
Sabato and Winkel Shine, but Saints Slip in Slugfest 

You will notice a theme as you go through these game recaps. Lead changes. Big innings. Wild plays. Quick responses. Games decided late. 

In this game, the Saints scored first, but Omaha responded in the bottom of the first. The Saints jumped ahead 5-1, but then Omaha made it 5-4, and the 5-6. Then the Saints scored three in the fifth inning to tie the game at 8-8. An inning later, St. Paul scored three runs in the top of the sixth to give them an 11-8 lead. That was where the game stayed until the bottom of the eighth when the Storm Chasers caught up and reclaimed the lead with a four-run inning. 

The Saints scored first when Payton Eeles scored from first on a dropped fly ball off the bat of Gabriel Gonzalez. 

In the second inning, Patrick Winkel lined a double off of the wall in right field. When the right fielder bobbled the ball, Jonah Bride raced home with the second run. 

The third inning began with back-to-back doubles by DaShawn Keirsey and Gabriel Gonzalez. With one out, Aaron Sabato hit a two-run homer that gave the Saints a 5-1 lead and ended John Gant’s start.   

Taj Bradley started and gave up five runs on five hits and two walks in 3 2/3 innings. He had eight strikeouts but gave up two home runs. He gave up one in the first, three in the third inning, and one in the fourth inning. Noah Davis replaced him and immediately gave up a home run to Harold Castro. 

Aaron Sabato hit his second home run of the game with two outs in the top of the fifth which tied the game at 6-6. 

Then the Saints added another run on singles from Jonah Bride, Jose Miranda, Patrick Winkel (RBI), and Payton Eeles (RBI) to give the Saints the 8-6 lead

Davis also worked the bottom of the fifth inning and gave up two more runs to tie the game again, this time at 8-8. In total, he gave up three runs on two hits (both homers) and a walk. 

Next up was Christian MacLeod. He gave up zero runs in the sixth and seventh innings. 

In the top of the sixth inning, Gabriel Gonzalez led off by being hit by a pitch. He left the game for a pinch runner, Will Holland. With one out, Sabato walked. Jonah Bride doubled to drive in Holland and give the Saints the 9-8 lead. With two outs, Winkel singled to right field to drive in two more runs and make it 11-8. 

MacLeod came back out for the bottom of the eighth, but it started with a walk. After a fly out, Harold Castro hit his second home run of the game. Jac Caglianone doubled, and that’s when Trent Baker came into the game. The first batter he faced was Carter Jensen who hit another home run. This one gave them Omaha the 12-11 lead. 

The Saints went 1-2-3 in the ninth inning. They scored 11 runs on 14 hits and nine walks. Two more batters were hit. 

Patrick Winkel went 3-for-4 with a walk, a double, and three RBI. Sabato went 2-for-4 with a walk, two home runs, and three RBI. Eeles reached base his first five times, twice with singles and three times with walks. Gonzalez was 2-for-3 with his second double before leaving the game after being hit by a pitch. Bride went 2-for-4 with a walk and his sixth double. Jose Miranda went 2-for-5 with his 11th double. 

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Wichita 7, Springfield 4
Box Score
Salas Homers Twice, Wichita Wins with Ninth-Inning Blitz  

The game was scoreless through three innings. Springfield took a one-run lead in the bottom of the fourth. The Wind Surge took a one-run lead in the top of the fifth, but the Cardinals reclaimed a one-run lead in the bottom of that inning. Wichita tied the game in the top of the sixth inning, but Springfield took back a one-run lead in the bottom of the sixth. That’s where the score remained until the top of the ninth when the Wind Surge scored four runs to take the lead and the game. 

Down 1-0 through four, Ben Ross led off the top of the fifth inning with an infield single. Jose Salas came to the plate and launched his second Double-A homer to give the Surge the 2-1 lead. 

Down 3-2 through five innings, Salas homered again with two outs to tie the game at three. 

Jumping ahead to the top of the ninth, Wichita was down 4-3. With one out, Kaelen Culpepper singled. Kala’i Rosario singled him to second. Then Hendry Mendez singled off the pitcher to load the bases. At that point, the Surge doubled their pleasure. Nate Baez drove in two runs with a double to make it 5-4 Wichita. Rubel Cespedes followed with his 20th double of the season which drove in two more runs and gave the Wind Surge the lead they held onto in the bottom of the ninth. 

C.J. Culpepper started and tossed a season-high five innings. He gave up three runs (1 earned) on three hits and a walk. He also hit two batters. He had three strikeouts and now has a 2.52 ERA. Gabriel Yanez came up and gave up one run on two hits over two innings. Michael Martinez pitched a scoreless eighth inning, and Hunter Hoopes followed suit in the ninth to earn his first Surge Save. 

Wichita scored their seven runs on 10 hits and five walks. Eight of the nine batters had at least one hit. The top four in the lineup accounted for all five walks. 

Jose Salas was the lone Wichita batter with more than one hit. He went 3-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI. Rosario went 1-for-3 with two walks. Culpepper and Mendez each had a single and a walk. Nate Baez hit a double and walked. 

KERNELS NUGGETS
Cedar Rapids 6, Quad Cities 3
Box Score
DeBarge’s Four-Hit Day Leads Kernels to Win

Like the Wind Surge game, this ballgame was scoreless through the first three innings. The Kernels grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth. The River Bandits tied the game in the top of the fifth. The Kernels scored two in the bottom of the fifth, but Quad Cities rescinded with two runs in the top of the sixth to make it 3-3. Cedar Rapids scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 6-3 lead. Quad Cities followed with three scoreless innings and the Kernels took the win. 

It always starts with starting pitching. Chase Chaney started the game with four scoreless innings. He had three hits, walked none and had four strikeouts. Matt Mikulski came on and got one out, but he walked two guys and hit another. Ivran Romero came in with the bases loaded and just one out in the fifth, but he allowed just one inherited runner to score. Romero also pitched the sixth. In that inning, he gave up two runs on three hits and two walks. Julio Bonilla came on and had three strikeouts over two, one-hit innings. Paulshawn Pasqualotto picked up his ninth save with a scoreless ninth inning. 

The Kernels got on the board in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, Kyle Hess tripled and scored on a Jaime Ferrer double.

Tied at one going to the bottom of the fifth, Caden Kendle got things going with a double. Kyle DeBarge followed with a double to give the Kernels the lead. Two batters later, DeBarge scored on a Brandon Winokur single that made it 3-1. 

Going to the bottom of the sixth, the game was again tied, this time at 3-3. The first two batters struck out. Jefferson Valladares was hit by a pitch. Kendle walked. A wild pitch put runners on second and third. DeBarge singled to left which drove in Valladares and Kendle. 

He advanced to second on the throw. Eduardo Tait followed with a single to center that drove in DeBarge with the team’s sixth run. 

DeBarge had a big game. He went 4-for-4 with his 22nd and 23rd doubles. He scored twice and drove in three runs. He also stole his 61st and 62nd bases of the season.

Winokur went 2-for-4 and added his 23rd stolen base. Hess was 2-for-4 with his third triple of the season.   

Congratulations to Jon Jon on his 25 years with the Kernels!! 

MUSSEL MATTERS
Fort Myers 7, Daytona 8
Box Score
Mussels Ride the Rollercoaster; Tortugas Walk it Off in Ninth

Like the other affiliates, the Mussels played a game that went back and forth, right from the start, and this one wasn’t decided until the final at-bat. Of course, when your team is on the road, having the winning run be a walk off is never a good thing. 

The Mussels got things going right away in this game. Marek Houston led off the game with his fourth double. He scored on a Dameury Pena single. 

Spencer Bengard made his first in-game appearance since late May, making a rehab start for the Mussels. He also started the game by allowing a double. But he struck out the next two batters. Unfortunately, he threw two wild pitches which allowed the runner to score before striking out his third batter of the inning. 

Bengard, who was the Twins Daily Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Year in 2024, gave up one run on one hit over two innings. 18 of his 28 pitches were strikes, and he had four strikeouts. 

The Mussels scored the next two runs of the game. In the third inning, Houston singled, stole second, stole third, and scored on a single from Dameury Pena. Then in the fourth inning, Ryan Sprock led off with a walk. He went to second on a Yasser Mercedes single. Bryan Acuna walked to load the bases. After a pop out, Houston came to the plate and grounded out to second base, but Sprock scored and the other runners advanced. 

Christian Bacerra worked the third, fourth and fifth innings. He put two zeroes on the board, but then gave up three runs in the fifth inning which gave the Tortugas a 4-3 lead. 

In the top of the sixth, Ian Daugherty scored on a single by Enrique Jimenez to tie things up at 4-4. 

With one out in the eighth inning, JP Smith, Jimenez and Eduardo Beltre walked consecutively to load the bases. Ryan Sprock singled in two runs, and a third run scored on a wild pitch. The Mussels had a three-run lead. 

Based on other games in the organization on Sunday, you won’t be surprised to learn that Daytona responded with three runs of their own in the bottom of the eighth. Jonathan Stevens worked two scoreless innings, the sixth and seventh frames. However, he came out for the eighth inning and gave up a bloop single, a walk, and a three-run homer that tied the game at 7-7. 

Will Armbruester came in and got the next three batters out. In the top of the ninth, the Mussels got two runners on base but were unable to score. Armbruester started the bottom of the ninth with a strikeout. But then he issued a walk, a stolen base, and another walk. Jakob Hall came into the game and gave up a single to center that drove in both runners and gave the Mussels their 66th loss of the season.   

Ryan Sprock went 3-for-4 with two walks. Houston went 2-for-5 with a walk and his fourth double. He also stole his fifth and sixth bases.. Dameury Pena went 2-for-4 with two walks and two RBI. He stole his 24th base. Yasser Mercedes went 2-for-4 with his 33rd steal. Ian Daugherty had a walk and his first double. 

PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Hitter of the Day  
Kyle DeBarge (Cedar Rapids): 4-for-4, 2-2B(23), 2 R, 3 RBI, 2-SB(62)
Payton Eeles (St. Paul): 2-for-3, 3 BB, R, RBI, K
Aaron Sabato (St. Paul): 2-for-4, BB, 2-HR(9), 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 K
Patrick Winkel (St. Paul): 3-for-4, BB, 2B(6), 3 RBI
Jose Salas (Wichita): 3-for-4, 2-HR(3), 2 R, 3 RBI, K
Ryan Sprock (Fort Myers): 3-for-3, 2 BB, R, 2 RBI 

Pitcher of the Day 
Chase Chaney (Cedar Rapids): 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 57 pitches, 37 strikes (64.9%)

PROSPECT SUMMARY
Check out the Prospect Tracker for much more on our Twins Top 20 prospects after seeing how they did today.

#2 - Luke Keaschall (Minnesota) - 1-for-4, R, CS(2) (played 2B)
#3 - Kaelen Culpepper (Wichita) - 1-for-4, BB, R, K (DHd)
#5 - Eduardo Tait (Cedar Rapids) - 1-for-4, RBI, K (DHd)
#11 - Gabriel Gonzalez (St. Paul) - 2-for-3, 2B, R, 2 RBI (played RF)
#13 - Marek Houston (Fort Myers) - 2-for-5, BB, 2 R, RBI, K, 2-SB(6) (played SS)
#14 - Brandon Winokur (Cedar Rapids) - 2-for-4, RBI, SB(23) (played 3B)
#17 - Kyle DeBarge (Cedar Rapids) - 4-for-4, 2-2B(23), 2 R, 3 RBI, 2-SB(62) (played SS)
#18 - C.J. Culpepper (Wichita) - 5 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 2 HBP, 69 pitches, 42 strikes (60.9%)
#20 - Hendry Mendez (Wichita) - 1-for-4, BB, R, K

What’s Next?
Monday:
DSL Phillies @ DSL Twins (10:00 AM CT) - TBD
Tuesday:
Oakland @ Minnesota (6:40 PM CT) - RHP Joe Ryan (12-5, 3.30 ERA)
Round Rock @ St. Paul (6:05 PM CT) -
Wichita @ Midland (6:30 PM CT) -
Cedar Rapids @ South Bend (6:05 PM CT) - 
Tampa @ Fort Myers (6:05 PM CT) - 
DSL Mets@ DSL Twins (10:00 AM CT) -

CURRENT W-L Records
Minnesota Twins: 58-66
St. Paul Saints: 54-64
Wichita Wind Surge: 60-54
Cedar Rapids Kernels: 64-50
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels: 45-66
FCL Twins: 39-20 (finished 2nd in FCL playoffs)
DSL Twins: 23-31

Please feel free to ask questions about the teams, the rosters, and discuss today’s games, or anything else Twins minor-league related!

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[mrguy]

I wonder how likely it will be that Sabato ends up making it to the majors next season, he's 26, he's not terrible in St. Paul. I'm sure he'll get a chance to try out in the spring and with the current options, who knows.

[FlyingFinn]

5 hours ago, mrguy said:

I wonder how likely it will be that Sabato ends up making it to the majors next season, he's 26, he's not terrible in St. Paul. I'm sure he'll get a chance to try out in the spring and with the current options, who knows.

Remember it's a hitters league. Many of the players stats don't translate to MLB from there.

With all the scoring in AAA, especially by Omaha, it makes Abel's performance yesterday all the more impressive.

[Fatbat]

5 hours ago, mrguy said:

I wonder how likely it will be that Sabato ends up making it to the majors next season, he's 26, he's not terrible in St. Paul. I'm sure he'll get a chance to try out in the spring and with the current options, who knows.

He will likely be unprotected in rule 5, picked by the Rockies and bash 29 HR’s in Coors field next summer. 

[TopGunn#22]

Did Walker Jenkins get a day off?  

[Doctor Wu]

Another very informative and entertaining report, Seth. Thanks. And I'm old enough to remember the original "wild and crazy guys" routine on SNL back in the late 1970s. But hey, some very encouraging performances in the farm system again, especially from DeBarge and Salas. Keep on hoping that some of these guys will be keepers and make an impression at Target Field in the near future. 

[DJL44]

Sabato is 26 and has a .768 OPS in AAA. That’s nothing special.

 

[bunsen82]

Thats an extremely good day across the minors.  Lots of solid performances from the bats today.  

Debarge's 20 HR season in college looks like a mirage,  but he is a solid player across the board.  The steals more than make up for the lack of power.  I was expecting the BA to be a tad better but he has had a very solid OBP.  In most years he would be a top 10 prospect in the minors and someone we are relying on to do well.  Im curious how many steals he is going to end the season with.   

Gonzalez is starting to get more walks in AAA,  hopefully he starts to get more comfortable with the bat.  Winokur continues to put up good days.  He is batting 280+/.340+/.450+  since July.   I don't see how he doesn't get moved up to AA next year.  

[Seth Stohs]

1 hour ago, TopGunn#22 said:

Did Walker Jenkins get a day off?  

I got hit in the hand by a pitch on Thursday. He stayed in the game to run and played some defense, but he didn't bat again. His hand was pretty swollen. I would think that, as long as x-rays were negative, he'll be back in the lineup on Tuesday. 

[Seth Stohs]

3 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

Remember it's a hitters league. Many of the players stats don't translate to MLB from there.

With all the scoring in AAA, especially by Omaha, it makes Abel's performance yesterday all the more impressive.

It is crazy what playing for the Saints has done to some hitters' numbers. I'm sure we can all come up with a name or two each year. 

But Sabato's put in his time. He's clearly worked. I've noted since spring training that he's put himself in much better shape. He looks find around first base. And, the power and power potential are certainly there. I think he's done enough to get an opportunity. 

And yes, when Mick Abel is throwing strikes, he has some tremendous stuff

[Seth Stohs]

14 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

Thats an extremely good day across the minors.  Lots of solid performances from the bats today.  

Debarge's 20 HR season in college looks like a mirage,  but he is a solid player across the board.  The steals more than make up for the lack of power.  I was expecting the BA to be a tad better but he has had a very solid OBP.  In most years he would be a top 10 prospect in the minors and someone we are relying on to do well.  Im curious how many steals he is going to end the season with.   

Gonzalez is starting to get more walks in AAA,  hopefully he starts to get more comfortable with the bat.  Winokur continues to put up good days.  He is batting 280+/.340+/.450+  since July.   I don't see how he doesn't get moved up to AA next year.  

Winokur is doing exactly what he needs to be doing. He's playing every day and getting better. Looking at his statline, you can see that he's a guy that can fill up the stat box. Doubles, homers, stolen bases. And he's played CF and SS more than adequately... though he acknowledged the other day that he feels most comfortable at third base. 

If a high school kid gets drafted, starts his first full season in Low A and starts the second season in High-A and continues to progress, that's very encouraging. To expect anything more than that isn't really fair, especially for guys not taken in the first half of the first round. 

[rdehring]

Interesting whether Jax or Bradley has the most disappointing start with their new teams.  Hopefully, comments that Bradley is working on some stuff are true and the reason his couple starts have been disappointing.

Another great relief appearance by MacLeod.  Do you see him making the Twins and doing well, Seth?  This year or next?  As a starter or reliever?

When I saw DeBarge was 4-4 with two doubles I was thinking he might not have stolen a base.  Wrong!  With 62 he has tied the most ever for any player in the Twins organization, correct?  Was it Knoblach?

Thanks for a great report, Seth.

 

[stringer bell]

I'd pump the brakes on the Sabato train. In comparison to the rest of the league, he's been below average and next year he'll be playing baseball at age 27. That is not to discount the improvements he has made and if he stays in the organization he could win a spot on the Twins' roster in 2026.  

Until a guy returns from injury, I always worry that the injury is worse than originally reported. That probably comes from following a team that has Byron Buxton on it. I hope Jenkins is in the lineup and mashing on Tuesday and I'll check the lineups until I see his name and an at-bat.

With the fire sale, I do see a roster position available for Payton Eels, maybe as soon as an injury occurs or September 1st. I don't think his numbers will be great in the majors, but his production and versatility have given him a chance to be a major leaguer. 

Winokur, DeBarge and Rosario have come on this season and provide some intrigue in the coming years. I think the right handed outfield options are interesting and it would seem that a few guys have passed McCusker in terms of getting a real shot to play for the Twins.

[Patzky]

22 minutes ago, rdehring said:

Interesting whether Jax or Bradley has the most disappointing start with their new teams.  Hopefully, comments that Bradley is working on some stuff are true and the reason his couple starts have been disappointing.

Another great relief appearance by MacLeod.  Do you see him making the Twins and doing well, Seth?  This year or next?  As a starter or reliever?

When I saw DeBarge was 4-4 with two doubles I was thinking he might not have stolen a base.  Wrong!  With 62 he has tied the most ever for any player in the Twins organization, correct?  Was it Knoblach?

Thanks for a great report, Seth.

 

I don't think we lose . . Taj could become one of those starters who transitions to relief when Abel joins the rotation next year.

[jmlease1]

33 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

I'd pump the brakes on the Sabato train. In comparison to the rest of the league, he's been below average and next year he'll be playing baseball at age 27. That is not to discount the improvements he has made and if he stays in the organization he could win a spot on the Twins' roster in 2026.  

Until a guy returns from injury, I always worry that the injury is worse than originally reported. That probably comes from following a team that has Byron Buxton on it. I hope Jenkins is in the lineup and mashing on Tuesday and I'll check the lineups until I see his name and an at-bat.

With the fire sale, I do see a roster position available for Payton Eels, maybe as soon as an injury occurs or September 1st. I don't think his numbers will be great in the majors, but his production and versatility have given him a chance to be a major leaguer. 

Winokur, DeBarge and Rosario have come on this season and provide some intrigue in the coming years. I think the right handed outfield options are interesting and it would seem that a few guys have passed McCusker in terms of getting a real shot to play for the Twins.

Interesting that you see a spot for Eeles, who has an OPS of .762 in Saint Paul and not for Sabato at .768. Eeles may have more positional flexibility, but Sabato fills a role the Twins could use (RH slugging 1B). I'd argue that they both have a lot to do to show that they could be capable MLB players.

Eeles has looked a lot better at the plate lately, but suffered through a long stretch where his power production utterly vanished. Sabato has started heating up again, but went through a dreadful July where he wasn't making contact, wasn't taking walks and just looked awful after a nice start. Eeles is only about 6 months younger than Sabato too.

Both are nice stories who have taken very different paths to AAA, but I dunno about either of them. I suspect Sabato will not get added to the 40-man again, and I think it'll be fine.

Really hoping this recent outpouring from DeBarge is a sign he's out of the doldrums and will finish the season strong. 

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, Seth Stohs said:

Winokur is doing exactly what he needs to be doing. He's playing every day and getting better. Looking at his statline, you can see that he's a guy that can fill up the stat box. Doubles, homers, stolen bases. And he's played CF and SS more than adequately... though he acknowledged the other day that he feels most comfortable at third base. 

If a high school kid gets drafted, starts his first full season in Low A and starts the second season in High-A and continues to progress, that's very encouraging. To expect anything more than that isn't really fair, especially for guys not taken in the first half of the first round. 

Put him at third! Lewis won't be here forever.....

[Yoke]

I would be interested in seeing a chart on Sabato’s strikeouts in AAA, and if they are looking or swinging.

 

In the exact same amount or PA’s as he had in AA, he has 5 fewer XBH, 10 fewer BB and 13 more K. Curious if close takes for a walk in AA have become looking K’s in AAA.

 

I don’t think he’s MLB ready, but he has the profile of what the Twins need.

[DocBauer]

Great day for Sabato! If you had told me a year ago he'd have the kind of season he's having and be holding his own at AAA I'd have bet he wouldn't even be in the organization. Obviously I'd of been very wrong. But I don't think there is room or need to protect him on the 40 man. He's still young ENOUGH to carve out a ML career if he can take another step forward however. 

The difference between him and Eeles is that Sabato has FINALLY shown expected/hoped improvement with the bat. But Eeles can play more than 1B, offers speed, and while Sabato has been trying to improve, Eeles has been in the process of getting BACK to where he was in 2024 pre knee surgery that kept him out of the first few months of this season. I'd rather see him the next 6 weeks instead of Fitzgerald.

Nice day for Gonzalez. One of Winkel's best days ever.

In AA, really nice to see CJ Culpepper getting stretched out with solid results. He's hit a speedbump in his development due to injury, but is starting to look like his previous self again.

Winokur just keeps putting up numbers and producing. Love the roll he's been on since July 1st. It's fine that he feels most comfortable at 3B. That might end up being his eventual ML spot. I still think he might be the best CF prospect in the system, however, and I'd like him there for as long as possible.

Is it my imagination, or has Salas been on a roll lately? Memory geta confused at times, but he was injured early in the season, yes?

Looks like DeBarge is getting a second wind after slumping for a while. Nice to see! I have doubts about the HR power he showed in his last college season, but he does need to develop a little more than he's shown so far.

Houston continues to perform at Ft Myers, but he really should be challenged at CR to end the season the way K Culpepper was last year. I'd say the same for Smith.

[Steve Lein]

4 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

Interesting that you see a spot for Eeles, who has an OPS of .762 in Saint Paul and not for Sabato at .768. Eeles may have more positional flexibility, but Sabato fills a role the Twins could use (RH slugging 1B). I'd argue that they both have a lot to do to show that they could be capable MLB players.

Eeles has looked a lot better at the plate lately, but suffered through a long stretch where his power production utterly vanished. Sabato has started heating up again, but went through a dreadful July where he wasn't making contact, wasn't taking walks and just looked awful after a nice start. Eeles is only about 6 months younger than Sabato too.

Eeles OPS' in the last 28 days is .904. since the start of July he's hitting .308/.412/.420. He was coming back from a knee surgery, which is the explanation to all your complaints here about how he started. He has for over a month now been the same exact same guy he was for 64 games in triple-A last year.

Eeles absolutely is a ballplayer, jump on board the train with me! 

[Mike Sixel]

49 minutes ago, Steve Lein said:

Eeles OPS' in the last 28 days is .904. since the start of July he's hitting .308/.412/.420. He was coming back from a knee surgery, which is the explanation to all your complaints here about how he started. He has for over a month now been the same exact same guy he was for 64 games in triple-A last year.

Eeles absolutely is a ballplayer, jump on board the train with me! 

I'd love to see him up here.....is he a better 2B than Keaschell? Put Keaschell at first? (I don't really care about CLemens one way or the other). Or can Eeles really play LF?

[stringer bell]

43 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

I'd love to see him up here.....is he a better 2B than Keaschell? Put Keaschell at first? (I don't really care about CLemens one way or the other). Or can Eeles really play LF?

Triple A hitting success doesn't mean a player will hit acceptably in the majors (see Keirsey Jr., Dashawn) and I suspect the same is true for Eeles, but he's done what he can to get a chance and if he gets a chance, well stranger things have happened than seeing him succeed. That said, I'm not moving Keaschall or anybody else to make room for Eeles.

[bunsen82]

Houston promoted to A+

[jkcarew]

Emmy Rodriguez update?

[Fatbat]

37 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

Houston promoted to A+

I can’t believe he fell to us in the draft. 

[Danchat]

Not encouraging to see Taj Bradley have a bad start... I do wish they could have gotten multiple pieces for Jax. If they end up moving Bradley to the bullpen, the trade would end up being that Family Guy meme with Peter forgoing the reliever to getting the mystery box that might be a reliever. 4 years of control of a reliever, sure, but then why did you just trade 5 years of Varland?

I'm warming up to the Duran deal with how Abel looks so far... I just don't like the returns for Jax + Stewart and the Varland trade looks mighty questionable. 

[Steve Lein]

16 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

I'd love to see him up here.....is he a better 2B than Keaschell? Put Keaschell at first? (I don't really care about CLemens one way or the other). Or can Eeles really play LF?

I think they are comparable. Eeles at least can throw at this point. Keaschall from what I've seen probably shouldn't even be playing the field yet because of his arm, but the Twins never really had a choice with that.

 

15 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Triple A hitting success doesn't mean a player will hit acceptably in the majors (see Keirsey Jr., Dashawn) and I suspect the same is true for Eeles, but he's done what he can to get a chance and if he gets a chance, well stranger things have happened than seeing him succeed. That said, I'm not moving Keaschall or anybody else to make room for Eeles.

Very true. Eeles does have a lower strikeout rate, higher walk rate than Keirsey. I think he battles in the batters box. Certainly wouldn't move Keaschall, but there are multiple guys I'd give him a look over, or at least treat as one of the interchangeable pieces they are right now. Mickey Gasper, Ryan Fitzgerald, James Outman. Julien, Martin... I don't think you lose anything giving him an opportunity to see if you do have a little lightning in that bottle.