Twins AFL Report, Week 2: Hendry Mendez Hits, Brandon Winokur Clutches Up

[Steve Lein]

Image courtesy of William Parmeter (Photo of Hunter Hoopes)

Game Results:
Monday, 10/14 | Scottsdale 9, Peoria 5
Wednesday, 10/15 | Glendale 6, Peoria 4
Thursday, 10/16 | Peoria 6, Mesa 2
Friday, 10/17 | Peoria 11, Salt River 4
Saturday, 10/18 | Salt River 7, Peoria 5 (7 innings)
Sunday, 10/19 | Mesa 12, Peoria 6

After finishing week one with a 3-1 record, the Peoria Javelinas looked to continue their early success as a team in week two, but the wins were harder to come by. 

They lost the first two games of the week to fall to .500, before bouncing back with a pair of convincing wins by a combined score of 17-6. But as is common out in the desert, that was followed by another two-game losing streak. They finished week two with an even 5-5 record. They're now tied for third in the standings, first in ERA as a pitching staff (4.75), and fourth in OPS (.767) out of the six teams. 

Before getting to the Twins prospects, take a look at the top performers of the week according to MLB.com and get to know a few of the standouts that are your favorite prospect’s competition out in Arizona.

While none of the Twins players show up on that list, one of them has collected at least one hit in each of his games so far; another came up with a timely knock in multiple clutch situations; and one pitcher put together a dominating multi-inning relief appearance.

OF Hendry Mendez
Week (2 games): 3-for-7, R, 2B (1), RBI, BB, K
Overall: .300/.391/.500
While Mendez only got action in two games during the week, he continued his successes of Week 1 by extending his AFL hitting streak to his first five games. He made one start in right field, and one in left.

In Wednesday’s loss to Glendale, Mendez batted third in the lineup. His single in the bottom of the third put a runner in scoring position who would later score to make it 3-1 in favor of Peoria. For unknown reasons, Mendez would end up being pinch-hit for in the bottom of the fifth, so he finished 1-for-2.

His only other action of the week came in Friday’s win over Salt River. Taking over the leadoff spot, Mendez picked up two hits and a walk in five plate appearances, including his first AFL double. His RBI single in the fifth made the score 8-3 Javelinas.

IF Billy Amick
Week (3 games): 0-for-9, BB, 3 K
Overall: .000/.300/.000
Amick is still looking for his first hit in AFL play and has continued to split his time at the infield corners, playing two games at first and one at third in Week 2. He batted at the bottom of the Peoria lineup.

In addition to the one walk he drew in Friday’s win, Amick was also hit by pitches multiple times. So despite the “0-fer” in his three games, he did reach base three times in 12 total plate appearances. While I’m sure this has been a frustrating first two weeks for the slugger, things can turn around quickly in this small-sample-size season. No reason to write anything off yet.

IF Brandon Winokur
Week (4 games): 3-for-16, R, 4 RBI, BB, 2 K, SB (1)
Overall: .207/.281/.207
Winokur made the start in four of the Javelinas' six games on the week, spending three of them at shortstop and one of them at third base. He’s been batting in the back half of the lineup, but finished the week hitting fifth on Sunday.

While the three hits in 16 at-bats on the week don’t scream greatness, Winokur did make them count in the clutch. He racked up four RBIs with them. In Tuesday’s loss against Scottsdale, his two-out single in the bottom of the first made the score 5-4 Scorpions. In Friday’s win over Salt River, another two-out single scored Mendez (who had led off with his double) and Cam Collier to put the Javelinas up 4-0.

In addition to those big hits, Winokur stole his first base of the season, but also committed three errors on defense during the week.

LHP Zander Sechrist
Week (2 appearances): 3 IP, H, 2 BB, 2 K
Overall: 0-0, 2.25 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, .143 BAA, 2 BB, 4 K (4 IP)
Sechrist pitched in two games last week, making his first appearance in the seventh inning on Wednesday with his team down 6-3. He held up his end of the bargain, pitching two scoreless innings, including a 1-2-3 seventh. His two-out walk in the eighth was his only baserunner allowed, while 12 of his 21 pitches went for strikes (57%).

In Sunday’s loss to Mesa, Sechrist again came on for the seventh inning, with his team down 10-6. He got a pair of groundouts before a single and a walk got him into some trouble, but struck out the final hitter he faced to keep his week scoreless. Just like his first appearance, 12 of his 21 pitches in this one went for strikes (57%), while topping out at 87.6 MPH with the “unorthodox” pitching arsenal that made him a legend at Tennessee.

RHP Miguelangel Boadas
Week (1 appearance): 3 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Overall: 0-0, 3.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, .238 BAA, 5 BB, 5 K (6 IP)
Boadas again worked as the “bulk” reliever in his lone appearance on the week, which came in Saturday’s loss to the Salt River Rafters. With the game tied 1-1, Boadas came on in the top of the third and would finish the fifth. In addition to three walks in his three innings, he also hit a pair of batters and allowed lone runs in the fourth and fifth innings, but the score was 5-3 going into the sixth. On the bright side, he did strike out top prospect Charlie Condon and induced a pair of double-play balls. Of his 44 total pitches, 25 went for strikes (57%). He induced seven swings and misses, and topped out at 96 MPH with his fastball.

RHP Dylan Questad
Week (1 appearance): 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 3 BB, K
Overall: 0-1, 16.20 ERA, 3.00 WHIP, .167 BAA, 4 BB, K (1 2/3 IP)
Questad came on for the final inning of Peoria’s matchup with Salt River on Saturday, with his team up 5-3. He got the first two outs, including a strikeout, before catastrophe happened.

Twelve of his next 16 pitches went for balls, and the bases were suddenly loaded for the Rafters. With the game on the line, Questad was removed while responsible for all of them. They would all score, as two consecutive singles put the Rafters in front, and they’d add another insurance run to make the final in the game’s seven innings.

RHP Jakob Hall
Week (2 appearances): 1 2/3 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, BB, K
Overall: 0-0, 13.50 ERA, 1.88 WHIP, .364 BAA (2 2/3 IP)
Hall’s first appearance of the week came out of nowhere, as he was the reliever summoned after starting pitcher Luis De Leon suffered an injury in the fifth inning of Thursday’s win over Mesa. Coming on cold and with runners on first and second, Hall gave up a sac fly to score Mesa’s first run of the game, but then picked up a groundout to escape any other damage.

In Sunday’s blowout loss to Mesa, Hall came on for the fourth inning and worked around a one-out walk to deliver a scoreless frame. Back out for the fifth, it didn’t go nearly as well. Back-to-back singles to start it off were followed by a three-run home run to put the Javelinas down by five and end Hall’s outing. In an inning plus, he was charged with three earned runs on three hits and one walk, while striking out one.

RHP Hunter Hoopes
Week (1 appearance): 2 IP, BB, 4 K
Overall: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, .000 BAA, 2 BB, 5 K (3 IP)
Hoopes was called upon for just one appearance on the week, but it was a multi-inning outing. With Peoria up 8-4 on Friday, Hoopes came on to begin the bottom of the seventh and capsized the Rafters for his two frames. He issued a one-out walk in the seventh, but followed it up by striking out the next two hitters to end his first inning. It was much of the same in the eighth, minus a free pass, as he retired all three hitters—including another two strikeouts—to punctuate his outing. Of his 31 pitches, 20 went for strikes (65%), with six of those being the swinging variety.

Please feel free to ask questions and discuss the Twins prospects playing in the AFL this week!

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[Blyleven2011]

Thanks for the report on AFL  ...

Our players will have to play better , winokur 3 errors in the infield stands out , maybe better playing outfield ...

Mendez hitting the ball when he plays is encouraging , he's playing outfield  , it was said earlier the twins wanted to have him play some firstbase  , what's happening with that ...

[mikelink45]

Quote

Amick was also hit by pitches multiple times. So despite the “0-fer” in his three games, he did reach base three times in 12 total plate appearances. 

Tough way to create an OBP.  Might try using the bat instead of the body.

Winokur's errors is consistent with what I witnessed in Iowa.  I do not see him at SS.

[4twinsJA]

With WInokur's size would Twins consider 1B as option?

 

[tony&rodney]

Please watch a guy for a couple dozen times before coming to conclusions. These young players make mistakes, make improvements, and are all over the place in terms of their professional development.

[jmlease1]

I do think it's time to move Winokur off SS; yes, he's still young and wonderfully athletic, but there's little reason to think he can stick there and with Culpepper and Houston (De Andrade is a better SS, frankly and the Twins are already shifting him too) ahead of him, I'm not sure we're doing him any favors. How about 3B and CF?

Good to see Mendez continuing to hit, less good that he's not getting as much time and not seeing any of it at 1B like I think some of us (including me) had hoped. But it will be great if his hit tool keeps moving him along.

Been kind of a rough season for Amick. Started out well then battled injuries, and so far he hasn't been able to get on track in the AFL, while getting plunked multiple times. Welcome to pro baseball? I like seeing him split time at 3B and 1B though. It's worth seeing if he can hold up at 3B, but good to get him reps at 1B.

Stay healthy, guys.

[Mike Sixel]

2 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Thanks for the report on AFL  ...

Our players will have to play better , winokur 3 errors in the infield stands out , maybe better playing outfield ...

Mendez hitting the ball when he plays is encouraging , he's playing outfield  , it was said earlier the twins wanted to have him play some firstbase  , what's happening with that ...

Winokur is not a SS, especially not for a team that has spent their last two first round picks on one. It is ridiculous he's playing there, and a waste of development. 

Mendez....he should be at first, if you are working on him as a future Twin, IMO. Oh well, at least he's playing well. 

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, jmlease1 said:

I do think it's time to move Winokur off SS; yes, he's still young and wonderfully athletic, but there's little reason to think he can stick there and with Culpepper and Houston (De Andrade is a better SS, frankly and the Twins are already shifting him too) ahead of him, I'm not sure we're doing him any favors. How about 3B and CF?

Good to see Mendez continuing to hit, less good that he's not getting as much time and not seeing any of it at 1B like I think some of us (including me) had hoped. But it will be great if his hit tool keeps moving him along.

Been kind of a rough season for Amick. Started out well then battled injuries, and so far he hasn't been able to get on track in the AFL, while getting plunked multiple times. Welcome to pro baseball? I like seeing him split time at 3B and 1B though. It's worth seeing if he can hold up at 3B, but good to get him reps at 1B.

Stay healthy, guys.

Good point on DeAndrade, whom the fans (and Twins?) seem to have forgotten about. He's going to be a success for some other team, I'd guess. 

[Schmoeman5]

2 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Thanks for the report on AFL  ...

Our players will have to play better , winokur 3 errors in the infield stands out , maybe better playing outfield ...

Mendez hitting the ball when he plays is encouraging , he's playing outfield  , it was said earlier the twins wanted to have him play some firstbase  , what's happening with that ...

" maybe better playing outfield"

This is a theme that has been going on for at least the past 5 seasons with multiple players. I'm not picking on Winokur. But this mentality has to stop. If he can't play SS then dont play him there. Find out if he can handle the outfield and develop him there going forward. He's tall. Either start playing him in the OF on a daily basis or 1b but the Twins do this moving around to multiple positions where they become adequate at best but fluid at no one position.

[Steve Lein]

2 hours ago, 4twinsJA said:

With WInokur's size would Twins consider 1B as option?

 

Probably a waste of his overall athleticism, but I personally wouldn't rule it out based only on that, either.

[ashbury]

Billy Amick. Argh.  They don't actually do it as often as my faulty memory would tell me, but their attempts to draft a sure-thing college bat only to have that bat fail to develop frustrate me no end.  Sabato still stings.

[Permanent Twins Fan]

Hunter Hoopes is a great story. I think that with a little work in AFL, he could be a dark horse for a spot in the 2026 Twins bullpen. He throws gas, and the Twins bullpen is in dire need of some reinforcement. Hoopes is never going to be a major league starter, but I could definitely see him being a high leverage bullpen arm. 

[Mike Sixel]

1 minute ago, Permanent Twins Fan said:

Hunter Hoopes is a great story. I think that with a little work in AFL, he could be a dark horse for a spot in the 2026 Twins bullpen. He throws gas, and the Twins bullpen is in dire need of some reinforcement. Hoopes is never going to be a major league starter, but I could definitely see him being a high leverage bullpen arm. 

They have several guys that will never be starters in the minors, but they insist on moving them slowly as starters for the most part (Jax being a good example).

[Blyleven2011]

5 hours ago, Schmoeman5 said:

" maybe better playing outfield"

This is a theme that has been going on for at least the past 5 seasons with multiple players. I'm not picking on Winokur. But this mentality has to stop. If he can't play SS then dont play him there. Find out if he can handle the outfield and develop him there going forward. He's tall. Either start playing him in the OF on a daily basis or 1b but the Twins do this moving around to multiple positions where they become adequate at best but fluid at no one position.

And thats probably where he's better qualified to play is the outfield  and that is what i suggested  , ive heard better reports on his outfield defense than his infield  , we possibly have 2 recent shortstop and 1 could reach the major leagues this next season , there is no reason for winokur to be playing a position in the minors that he won't be playing in the majors  ...

That's what I said and you gave a thumbs down not only on me but alot of others , you must be having a bad day ...

[DocBauer]

One thing to always remember about the AFL is it's really a precursor for the offseason development program all teams have, usually referred to as INSTRUCTS. 

As an example, the Twins sent  pitcher Kade Bragg there last season. He was a LHP drafted in the 17th round in 2023. As is typical, he didn't throw until 2024. And his 2024 amounted to only 6 games and 8 IP, with solid results in a SSSS. There was an injury involved I believe. So they sent him to the AFL for additional work where he was basically terrible. 

Fast forward to 2025 and he threw at 3 levels, finishing at AA, and was basically excellent at all 3 stops. You'll see him at AAA in 2026, whether DAY ONE, or a bit later. But do yourself a favor and look at his 2025 numbers.

But back to our regularly scheduled programming:

Did we get a steal from the Phillies in Mendez? He hit like crazy after we got him and hasn't stopped yet. Reports I've heard is he isn’t much of an OF, and that's part of the reason he began working out at 1B. Other reports have been a tremendous amount of ground ball hits, which won't play at AAA, much less MLB. I'm guessing he's working on elevating the ball. But he sure looks interesting so far.

I was a little surprised Winokur was sent to the AFL. Honestly, I thought he did enough, especially with a strong finish to his season after a poor start, where maybe he was tiring down the stretch. Not great, but still producing runs, is a solid indicator for me at this point. 

Amick is there to do nothing but get AB after missing so much time in 2025. He's been awful so far. But the way the AFL works, he could be one of the best hitters the next couple of weeks. But again, it's just about AB and working on stuff.

Really impressed so far by Hunter Hoopes. He was an UDFA who has a big velocity arm who somehow flew under the radar. He's not young at 25yo, but in his rookie pro season he blew away both A levels before a not so great finish at AA Wichita. And that's probably where he begins 2026. But he just might be a fast riser next season along with the aforementioned Bragg, Parades, and a kid by the name of Whitaker. 

[DocBauer]

14 hours ago, 4twinsJA said:

With WInokur's size would Twins consider 1B as option?

 

I don't dismiss this as a future option.

As of today, I think he's a potential 3B, but his best spot might be CF. And when you consider Rodriguez and Jenkins as CF options, that might sound crazy. But at 6' 6" and almost thin at 210-215lbs with really good speed, athleticism, and a strong arm, he just might maintain his speed longer than Rodriguez and Jenkins. He's got the frame to carry another 10-15lbs and still run the way he does.

Considering his power potential currently, he doesn't need to gain weight/muscle. But only 21yo when next season begins, it's possible natural development just adds a little weight/muscle. If his defensive instincts hold up, he just might be the best CF in the system. With speed, power, a great arm, he wouldn't even have to be a great average hitter to be dangerous and valuable. 

However, maturation just might slow him down a bit. He could easily slide to a corner OF spot, OR, he could be a really fine 3B with power and speed and a cannon arm and maybe Lewis slides to 1B.

A LOT of conjecture for a kid that's super talented, but 2-3yrs away. 

But let's just say the still young Lewis gets right and solidifies himself at 3B begining in 2026 with his BAT straightened out. Rodriguez and Jenkins debut and begin to establish themselves. But let's say a couple years from now 1B is still poor. I object to the idea that it's a "waste" of talent to put a great athlete at 1B.

A great athlete at 1B, with INF experience, should develop in to a fine defensive 1B. A strong arm is a bonus. His power plays there. His speed is just a bonus. 

Over the years I've seen quality CF like Erstad and Bellinger play a good 1B and produce quality offense while still playing in the OF. Who decided your 1B had to be a lumbering power hitter? 

So yes, Winokur is a possible 1B a couple years from now. He should be. Because you always want to play your best 9 on as much of a daily process as you can. 

BUT, we're 2-3yrs from him debuting and a lot of things can change between now and then. So I'd just want to enjoy his development for now and see what the future holds.

[DocBauer]

13 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Winokur is not a SS, especially not for a team that has spent their last two first round picks on one. It is ridiculous he's playing there, and a waste of development. 

Mendez....he should be at first, if you are working on him as a future Twin, IMO. Oh well, at least he's playing well. 

It's my understanding that prospects in the AFL have a certain hierarchy, almost akin to draft selection.  Some weird "first come, first served" scenario.

As an example, a few years ago Royce Lewis was still playing SS in the Twins system. But he was "behind" a couple SS from different organizations. So he spent his time at 3B and CF, with maybe a couple games at 2B, but I can't recall exactly. 

So it's possible Mendez is just "behind" Amick and someone else. It's also possible the Twins don't care and just want to see him in the OF some more and will work with him more 1-1 in Instructs during the offseason and we'll see him at 1B some in 2026.

[Greg Nelson]

12 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

And thats probably where he's better qualified to play is the outfield  and that is what i suggested  , ive heard better reports on his outfield defense than his infield  , we possibly have 2 recent shortstop and 1 could reach the major leagues this next season , there is no reason for winokur to be playing a position in the minors that he won't be playing in the majors  ...

That's what I said and you gave a thumbs down not only on me but alot of others , you must be having a bad day ...

Why don't they try him at first base. 

[jorgenswest]

Mendez and Amick aren’t getting very much playing time. Mendez is the 5th outfielder in playing time. Amick is splitting time as a back up at first and third. Both are at the bottom of the plate appearances list with Blake Rodden who is returning from a season ending injury. I wonder why Mendez isn’t getting more plate appearances.

[bunsen82]

18 hours ago, ashbury said:

Billy Amick. Argh.  They don't actually do it as often as my faulty memory would tell me, but their attempts to draft a sure-thing college bat only to have that bat fail to develop frustrate me no end.  Sabato still stings.

Billy Amick has had a rough fall in a small sample size - you can't discount what he did in 244 plate appearances at high A - .310/.418/.455.  He was never a sure fire college player.  He was a player that had a lot of questions - but he had a lot of power.  He comes to the Twins - the questions on defense and hit tool actually he has answered quite well - the power wasn't there.  Now some of that could have been the injury.  If he can put the power and hit tool together -  he becomes a legit 3rd base or 1st base option we really have no other answers for in the system.  

[tony&rodney]

Sounds like many of you are interested in the Arizona Fall League. You can watch the games if you have an mlb.com account. Then you can see whether that 4-4 was on four broken bat bloops, the 0-4 was on four balls hit above 100 mph, or some combination. It's an option available if one wants to know more. Just an FYI.

[ashbury]

43 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

Billy Amick has had a rough fall in a small sample size - you can't discount what he did in 244 plate appearances at high A - .310/.418/.455.  He was never a sure fire college player.  He was a player that had a lot of questions - but he had a lot of power.  He comes to the Twins - the questions on defense and hit tool actually he has answered quite well - the power wasn't there.  Now some of that could have been the injury.  If he can put the power and hit tool together -  he becomes a legit 3rd base or 1st base option we really have no other answers for in the system.  

Yeah, I wasn't saying the book is closed on Amick.   The arghh was for the AFL performance so far, and the parallels a continuation would suggest.

[bunsen82]

52 minutes ago, ashbury said:

Yeah, I wasn't saying the book is closed on Amick.   The arghh was for the AFL performance so far, and the parallels a continuation would suggest.

Ashbury -  I fully get it.  Amick was a pick that had lots of question marks.  The 2024 draft was bereft of players with good hit tools. We got 2 of the better ones in Debarge (who still has questions) and Culpepper.   I still remember 1 draft analyst who basically said Amick was one of the worst picks - basically because he couldn't lay off secondary pitches and was a horrible defender.  He has answered most of those questions.    For a number 60 pick especially for hitters you are getting to a range where there will be questions especially in that draft.   As of now I think Amick definitely has MLB potential.  He is are best current answer as a long term solution at either 3rd or 1st.  This next year will tell us a lot about his development.    If he can blend the hit tool that he showed this year with the power that he does have potentially at AA,  he instantly becomes a top prospect in the system.   

You can obviously see most were not impressed by the pick.   There wasn't a Keaschall type player available in the 60 range of the 2024 draft.   It was a gamble that so far has paid off. Hopefully it will continue to.  

 

[bunsen82]

Haha - has anyone looked at Amicks stats for fall ball.      0/.348/0.    5 walks and 3 HBP.    Not getting hits - if he did he would be crushing fall ball.   

[twinstalker]

Answer:  Brandon Winokur and Billy Amick

Carnac:   Who are two of an endless number of Twins prospects who have no chance of more than a cup of coffee in the majors.

Listen, Mendez has statistics in the minors that indicate he will hit.  The others don't.  Maybe it's more fun thinking everybody has a chance.  Mendez has a chance, though his running, throwing, and fielding limitations make him a pretty meh prospect.  But he should ultimately be a tough out at the plate.