Twins Minor League Report (9/20): Saints Win Second in a Row

[Seth Stohs]

Image courtesy of Greta Riedl / St. Paul Saints (photo of Will Holland)

 

Penultimate… such a fun word! 

That’s right. On Saturday afternoon the Saints played the penultimate game of the Twins 2025 minor league schedule. The other affiliates have each been done for about a week, but the Saints got one more week of games. Sunday will be the final one.  

TRANSACTIONS
Before the second Twins game on Saturday, the Twins placed Pablo Lopez on the Injured List and recalled Mick Abel. 

Hear me out. What do you think of this idea? A few weeks ago, I wrote about five Twins minor leaguers who will become free agents at the conclusion of the World Series. One of them, RHP Cody Laweryson, was called up recently to take Justin Topa’s roster spot. 

Will Holland is another player on that list, and he is finishing out the season with the Saints. What do you think about the idea of calling up Will Holland for the final week of the season? Give him an extra $18-20,000 for that week as a thank you for what you’ve done in our organization since they signed him in 2019. There are several players on the IL currently that could be pushed to the 60-Day Injured List. There are a couple of guys that could be DFAd. 

Would a team do that in a pennant-chasing season? Of course not. Would it be potentially great for good will? Possibly. Consider the Twins have a Top 3 pick in next summer’s MLB draft. They convince a top talent in the draft to sign for a few million dollars under slot. But there are now agents that see that if the Twins draft a guy and he produces and stays in the organization for six full seasons without a big-league promotion, they just might find players in later rounds will to tell other teams that they won’t sign unless they get a certain bonus because they want to be drafted by the Twins, an organization that treats its players well and respects their work and longevity. A human-centered organization. 

Oh wait! They traded Louis Varland with five years of service time remaining. No one is buying that human-centered stuff anymore. 

But I would love to see Will Holland get one week in the big leagues. Call him up! 

SAINTS SENTINEL
St. Paul 11, Memphis 3
Box Score

In his final start of the season, lefty Kendry Rojas started and gave up just one run over 3 1/3 innings. He gave up for hits and walked just two, but he had five strikeouts to help him out of some situations. 

In the fourth inning, Christian MacLeod got the final two on and two outs, but he kept the score at 3-1 Saints. 

Oh yeah, the Saints. They scored three runs in the top of the third inning. Noah Cardenas hit a one-out single. Will Holland (Call Him Up!) signed him to second. Next, Walker Jenkins singled which drove in Cardenas with the team’s first run. A rehabbing Christian Vazquez grounded out, but Holland scored the second run. Kyler Fedko and Jonah Bride reached on walks. With Emmanuel Rodriguez batting, Memphis starter Zach Plesac balked to score the Saints third run. Rodriguez’s plate appearance ended with a walk, but after a pitching change the half-inning ended. 

MacLeod gave up a run of his own in the fifth inning which made it 3-2, but the Saints responded right away in the top of the sixth inning. Jonah Bride led off with a single to center. Rodriguez delivered an opposite-field home run. It marked just his sixth home run of the season. Also, later in the innings, the Saints got singles from Tanner Schobel and Will (Call Him Up!) Holland! 

On the day, MacLeod went 2 2/3 innings and gave up the one run on two total hits. Erasmo Ramirez gave up a hit and a walk but got out of the seventh inning unscathed. 

At that point, the Saints just added on. In the top of the seventh, Kyler Fedko walked and stole second. Bride singled him to third, and Fedko scored on a fielders’ choice off the bat of Rodriguez. Rodriguez stole second and then scored on a Schobel single to make it 7-2. 

With one out in the eighth, Will (Call Him Up!) Holland walked and stole second. He scored on a Walker Jenkins single to center. Christian Vazquez followed with a two-run homer that made it 10-2 Saints. 

The Saints added on more in the ninth inning when Will (Call Him Up!) Holland walked with the bases loaded to drive in Rodriguez. 

Marco Raya tossed the final two innings. He gave up one run on two hits. Blaze Jordan hit a homer with two outs in the ninth. 

Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with a walk, his sixth homer and his ninth stolen base. He also threw out a runner at the plate. Jenkins went 2-for-5 with two RBI. Bride was 2-for-4 with a walk. Schobel was 2-for-5. Vazquez went just 1-for-5 with a walk, but he drove in three runs. Also, Will (Call Him Up!) Holland was 2-for-3 with two walks and his 11th stolen base.  

PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Hitter of the Day  
Emmanuel Rodriguez (St. Paul): 3-for-4, BB, HR(6), 3 RBI, 3 R, SB(9),

Pitcher of the Day 
Christian MacLeod (St. Paul): 2 2/3 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 45 pitches, 26 strikes (57.8%)

 

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

#1– Walker Jenkins (St. Paul) - 2-for-5, HBP, 2 R, 2 RBI, K (played CF)
#2 - Luke Keaschall (Minnesota) - Game 1: 1-for-3, 2B(13), Game 2:
#5 - Emmanuel Rodriguez (St. Paul) - 3-for-4, BB, HR(6), 3 RBI, 3 R, SB(9), (played LF)
#6 - Mick Abel (Minnesota) - 4 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 5 K, 71 pitches, 39 strikes (54.9%)
#9 - Kendry Rojas (St. Paul) - 3 1/3 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 68 pitches, 45 strikes (66.2%)
#15 - Marco Raya (St. Paul) - 2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 22 pitches, 15 strikes (68.2%)
#19 - Kyler Fedko (St. Paul) - 0-for-3, 2 BB, R, SB(12) K (played RF)

SUNDAY PROBABLES
St. Paul @ Memphis (1:05 PM CT) - RHP Andrew Morris (4-5, 3.69 ERA)

CURRENT W-L Records
Minnesota Twins: 66-89
St. Paul Saints: 62-85
Wichita Wind Surge: 76-62
Cedar Rapids Kernels: 72-60 (finished 2nd in Midwest League playoffs)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels: 52-73
FCL Twins: 39-20 (finished 2nd in FCL playoffs)
DSL Twins: 24-32

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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[terrydactyls]

In the top of the third, I was impressed that Will (Call Him Up!) Holland was able to "sign" Cardenas to second.  Do the Twins teach ASL in the minors? 

[Mahoning]

It figures. The starter gives up one run and doesn't get out of the fourth inning. The Twins TRAIN their young pitchers to go short. Look at their young pitchers, Festa and Matthews -- both disasters this season. Meanwhile, Cleveland's rookies (like Logan Allen today) go long (8 innings today, no runs.) No young pitcher with ambition should sign with the Twins.

[Permanent Twins Fan]

E-Rod has been great since his return from the Il. The Twins have a lot of OFers in AAA who deserve a shot in the majors. Lot of outfielders for 2026. Buxton, Martin, Roden, Wallner, Larnach, Kiersey, Outman, Fedko, Gonzalez, Jenkins, and Rodriguez all have a case to make the opening day roster

[tony&rodney]

Totally agree on giving Will Holland a week in Texas and Philadelphia. Holland has not been able to harness his athletic talent but has given the Saints and the Twins organization some good play. 

Realistically though one has to consider who gets put on the IL to make room for Holland.

The four Saints outfielders (Walker Jenkins, Emmanuel Rodriguez, Gabby Gonzalez, and Kyler Fedko will push for a look in Spring Training and are a hope for 2026. 

 

[mikelink45]

I love your editorial to begin this essay. I think you are really right on. 

[tony&rodney]

I'm looking forward to watching Andrew Morris tomorrow. 

Please Mr. Gardenhire, put EmRod, Walker, Kyler, and Gabby all in the starting lineup.

[David HK]

Granted, it was a split squad, like in ST.

The Saints won 2 in St. Paul.  The Ain'ts lost 2 in Mpls.

[dougd]

1 hour ago, Mahoning said:

It figures. The starter gives up one run and doesn't get out of the fourth inning. The Twins TRAIN their young pitchers to go short. Look at their young pitchers, Festa and Matthews -- both disasters this season. Meanwhile, Cleveland's rookies (like Logan Allen today) go long (8 innings today, no runs.) No young pitcher with ambition should sign with the Twins.

Meanwhile, Cleveland's rookies (like Logan Allen today) go long (8 innings today, no runs.)

Unless I am reading fangraphs wrong, this was Logan Allen's 71 MLB start.

[Otaknam]

“Kendry Rojas started and gave up just one run over 3 1/3 innings. He gave up for hits and walked just two,” Since when is walking two batters in less than four innings considered a positive? Six base runners in 3 1/3 innings! Yikes! This is what we traded for! It’s time for a new front office and manager.

[Otaknam]

9 hours ago, Permanent Twins Fan said:

E-Rod has been great since his return from the Il. The Twins have a lot of OFers in AAA who deserve a shot in the majors. Lot of outfielders for 2026. Buxton, Martin, Roden, Wallner, Larnach, Kiersey, Outman, Fedko, Gonzalez, Jenkins, and Rodriguez all have a case to make the opening day roster

Outman has been a disaster. He strikes out more than Sano, which is quite an accomplishment. He needs to be released to give Fedko a chance.

[USNMCPO]

Seth, with all the self-induced negativity of the big club this year, I just want to say thank you for all the minors info. It has been a long season and I don't see anything positive for the Target field guys. The minor league round up is always my first go-to on the TD

[jmlease1]

Games like this are why you can't quit on Rodriguez. Healthy and locked it he looks like a star. Would be really fun to see him and Jenkins together in MLB. Nice to see him finishing the season strong. How do we keep him on the field and out of the training room?

Rojas...better I guess? Still think the team blew it by dropping him in AAA immediately. Lot of arm talent, but still needs a lot of refinement. Looks at least a year away to me, and certainly should be behind a lot of other guys until he shows out better.

 

[rdehring]

I don't know if today is your last day of duty this year, Seth.  But if it is, wanted to say thank you my friend.  Thanks for a long summer of information about the teams many of us came to care most about.

Great seeing Jenkins playing after missing a couple games.  Seems like the player we saw yesterday is who this young man is.  Will second those comments for EmRod.  Hopefully, he can be healthy next spring so the Twins can see what he can do for them.

Question, I see the Berrios pitching against the Saints yesterday is from Puerto Rico.  Any relation to Jose?

[Fatbat]

14 hours ago, Permanent Twins Fan said:

E-Rod has been great since his return from the Il. The Twins have a lot of OFers in AAA who deserve a shot in the majors. Lot of outfielders for 2026. Buxton, Martin, Roden, Wallner, Larnach, Kiersey, Outman, Fedko, Gonzalez, Jenkins, and Rodriguez all have a case to make the opening day roster

Yes, go right to the guys with the highest upside potential. 

[Fatbat]

3 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

Games like this are why you can't quit on Rodriguez. Healthy and locked it he looks like a star. Would be really fun to see him and Jenkins together in MLB. Nice to see him finishing the season strong. How do we keep him on the field and out of the training room?

Rojas...better I guess? Still think the team blew it by dropping him in AAA immediately. Lot of arm talent, but still needs a lot of refinement. Looks at least a year away to me, and certainly should be behind a lot of other guys until he shows out better.

 

I can’t think of a reason to not have WJ and Erod on the opening day twins roster. They will sell tickets and they have the highest ceilings. 
well. Health or lack of it might be a reason. 

[mrguy]

2 hours ago, Fatbat said:

I can’t think of a reason to not have WJ and Erod on the opening day twins roster. They will sell tickets and they have the highest ceilings. 
well. Health or lack of it might be a reason. 

Jenkins is adjusting, but still doesn't really have the results in AAA to justify it yet. I imagine he'll start in St. Paul, but will probably be in a Twins uniform in May if he starts strong next year

[twinstalker]

I hate that idea, Seth.  If it were my money, I'd certainly give it to to the young man.  But you see, there are many of us sibling and cousins, and I don't feel right spending their money.  But if that weren't the case, you can bet Bill Howland would get his shot with the Twins.

Sincerely,

JP