Twins Minor League Report (4/14): Connor Prielipp, Kendry Rojas Impressive in Saints Win

[Seth Stohs]

Image courtesy of Malamut Photography (photo of Eli Jones)

TRANSACTIONS
Utilityman Harry Genth was promoted from Fort Myers to Cedar Rapids.
In addition, Fort Myers placed RHP Joel Garcia on the 7-Day IL with right biceps tendonitis.   

SAINTS SENTINEL
St. Paul 5, Lehigh Valley 1
Box Score
Connor Prielipp made the start for the Saints against the Phillies Triple-A squad. The southpaw went the first five innings and gave up just one run on four hits and a walk. He also struck out eight batters. The lone run he allowed came on a Steward Berroa solo home run. Berroa played his fifth game with the IronPigs after being traded from the Brewers to the Phillies organization.   

Kendry Rojas came in and worked 3 1/3 innings. He gave up no runs on three hits. He walked one and had two strikeouts. He threw 50 pitches, likely his limit in just his second appearance with the Saints. Jon Brebbia got the final two outs, one on a strikeout. 

The Saints left three on base in the second without scoring. In the bottom of the third, Aaron Sabato led off with a double. He moved up to third on a wild pitch. With two outs, Alan Roden singled to right to drive him in. Back-to-back walks left the bases loaded again. This time, Orlando Arcia stepped up with an RBI single to make it 2-0. 

The Saints took a 2-1 lead into the sixth inning. With one out, Tanner Schobel and Aaron Sabato hit back-to-back singles. With two outs, Kaelen Culpepper doubled to drive in Schobel. Roden followed with an infield single that drove in Sabato with the fourth run. 

Sabato drove in the fifth and final run in the bottom of the seventh when he lined a single to left to drive in Alex Jackson. Sabato finished the game going 3-for-4 with his first double of the season. Alan Roden was 3-for-5 with his fourth double.   

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Wichita 7, Springfield 10
Box Score
The Wind Surge offense scored seven runs on 14 hits and three walks. Of course, Ben Ross had another two-hit game including his fourth double and fifth home run. 

Hendry Mendez went 3-for-5 and made his first start at first base. (He had one error on a missed catch.) Kala’i Rosario went 2-for-5. Ricardo Olivar went 2-for-5 with his fourth double. Jose Salas was 2-for-4 with a walk and his second home run. Kyle DeBarge hit his second home of the season. Billy Amick and Maddux Houghton each hit their second double of the season. 

Things didn’t go as well for the Surge’s pitchers. Mike Paredes made the start. In 2 1/3 innings, he gave up eight runs (7 earned) on eight hits and a walk and a hit batter.  

In 2025 in Wichita, Paredes was the Twins Daily Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Year. He went 11-0 with a 2.43 ERA over 103 2/3 innings. He also had seven saves. In other words, this was his first really rough outing since 2024. In other words, as Garrett Crochet said of his start against the Twins on Monday, he’s just got to flush this one and forget it. 

Jarret Whorff came on and gave up two runs on three hits and a walk in 1 2/3 innings. However, down 10-0, Darren Bowen, Luis Quinones, and Jaylen Nowlin combined to strike out five batters over five scoreless, no-hit innings.  

KERNELS CHRONICLE 
Game 1: Cedar Rapids 2, Quad Cities 1
Box Score
Strong Start + Strong Bullpen + Early Lead + Add On = Good win for the Kernels. 

The Kernels got a really nice start in Game 1 from Eli Jones. He gave up just one run on three hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out three batters.  

In four appearances and 20 innings in 2026, Jones is 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA. He’s issued just two walks and opponents have hit just .119 against him. After such a tough pro debut in Fort Myers in 2025, it was certainly important for Jones and his confidence to get off to a fast start in 2026. 

Recently, Jones told Twins Daily, “I worked hard throughout the offseason and spring training to build a little more velo. I’m throwing a tick harder now, making my arsenal a bit sharper. I’ve got my feet under me in pro ball now, so I’m feeling much more comfortable and confident on the mound.” 

The 22-year-old former sixth-round pick from South Carolina continued, “I’m competing my tail off and being very intentional on executing each and every pitch. My mindset on the mound, mixed with a slightly sharper arsenal has helped me out a ton so far this year.” 

The Kernels took advantage of the opposing pitcher Josh Hansell’s wildness and took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. With one out, Khadim Diaw, Brandon Winokur and Danny De Andrade walked to load the bases. Rayne Doncon grounded to shortstop but beat the throw to first allowing Diaw to score the game’s first run. 

The River Bandits tied the game in the top of the third inning, but the Kernels were able to jump back ahead in the bottom of the inning. With one out, De Andrade crushed a long home run out of the ballpark and onto the street beyond the fence in left field. 

Nick Trabacchi pitched a perfect sixth inning, and Paulshawn Pasqualotto worked a scoreless seventh inning to record his third save of the young season. Eli Jones earned his first official Win of the season. 

De Andrade was 2-for-2 with a walk and the big home run. Jay Thomason went 0-for-0 with three of the team’s seven walks in the game. Luis Hernandez recorded his first hit of the season. The catcher doubled down the left field line. Doncon added a double to his RBI fielder’s choice. 

Game 2: Cedar Rapids 0, Quad Cities 6
Box Score
It’s been a rough start to the season for lefty Dasan Hill. With all the excitement of the 20-year-old’s potential and reaching 100 mph, it’s a good reminder that these kids are people, that development isn’t linear, that there will be ups and downs throughout the process. Big picture, what does three rough starts mean? Nothing. Very little. What it does, one would hope, is provide learning opportunities. What it reminds us/fans, patience is not only a virtue, it’s absolutely necessary. 

Hill started Game 2 for the Kernels. He gave up five runs on three hits over just 1 2/3 innings. He had four strikeouts but also walked five batters. In his three starts, he has given up 11 runs on nine hits in eight innings. He had 10 walks and 10 strikeouts. That amounts to a 12.38 ERA and a 2.38 WHIP. 

In his three starts at the end of the 2025 season for the Kernels, he was 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA. In 10 innings, he gave up nine hits, walked seven and had 15 strikeouts. Even rolling back to his 16 starts at Fort Myers last year, he had 33 walks and 68 strikeouts in 52 innings. Of note, he didn’t have good control last year, but obviously right now it’s even worse. As long as he is healthy and willing to listen, there is little to worry about. It’s a blip on the radar. But the control issue will need to be worked on. It will have to be. As players move up levels, the strike zones get smaller, somewhat literally and mostly just in the fact that most of the hitters have much better eyes and knowledge of the strike zone. 

Christian Becerra came on and gave up one run on four hits in 1 1/3 innings. Michael Ross struck out two over two scoreless innings. Yehizon Sanchez and Brent Francisco each threw a scoreless inning as well. 

The Kernels hitters combined for three hits and six hits in this game. They were 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left eight on base. Brandon Winokur had a double and a walk. Eduardo Tait hit his second double. Danny De Andrade and Jaime Ferrer each walked twice.   

MIGHTY MATTERS
Ft. Myers 7, Lakeland 4
Box Score  
Riley Quick made his second pro appearance on Thursday night. While he wasn’t as efficient as his first start, it certainly was effective. The 2025 draft pick struck out five batters over three scoreless, hitless innings. The only blemish was three walks, and just 58.3% of his 48 pitches were strikes. 

Solid start, and the Mussels offense started out quite well too. With one out in the bottom of the first inning, Dameury Pena singled. With two outs, JP Smith walked. Yasser Mercedes followed with his first homer of the season. It gave the Mussels a 3-0 lead. 

After a pitching change, Eduardo Beltre walked, Ryan Sprock singles, and Byron Chourio walked to load the bases. Beltre scored on a wild pitch to make it 4-0. 

Jonathan Stevens came into the game to replace Quick. He gave up a home run to the first batter he faced. He gave up three runs in the fourth. The righty drafted out of Alabama who never pitched for Alabama went three innings and gave up four runs (2 earned) on five hits and two walks. He struck out three batters. The sixth inning run tied the game at 4-4. 

The Mussels answered that run right away in the bottom of the sixth when Ryan Spock reached on an error which allowed Mercedes to score the fifth run. 

Jake Murray came in to start the seventh inning. He gave up a leadoff double but immediately left the game with injury. We’ll update as we have more information. Michael Hilker came on and got the final nine outs of the game for the Mussels. Like Quick he gave up no runs and no hits over three innings. He had a walk and four strikeouts. 

Catcher Ian Daugherty hit a long home run in the bottom of the seventh, his first as a professional, to give the team the 6-4 lead. 

Dameury Pena extended his hitting streak to eight games. He went hitless in the season’s first two games. Through 10 games, the 20-year-old Dominican is hitting .412/.524/.441 (.965) with a double. He also has seven walks to just four strikeouts. And he’s got four stolen bases. 

PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Hitter of the Day  
Ben Ross (Wichita): 2-for-5, 2B(5), HR(4), 2 R, RBI, K. 

Pitcher of the Day 
Connor Prielipp (St. Paul): 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 8 K, 76 pitches, 50 strikes (65.8%)
Eli Jones (Cedar Rapids): 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 67 pitches, 44 strikes (65.7%)

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

#1 - OF Walker Jenkins (St. Paul) - 1-for-4, BB, K, CS(1) (batted first, DHd) 
#2 - IF Kaelen Culpepper (St. Paul) - 1-for-5, 2B(4), RBI, 2 K (batted second, played SS)
#3 - OF Emmanuel Rodriguez (St. Paul) - 1-for-3, BB, 2B(2), K (batted fifth, played CF)
#4 - C Eduardo Tait (Cedar Rapids) - Game 2: 1-for-4, 2B(2), 2 K (batted second, catcher) 

#5 - LHP Connor Prielipp (St. Paul) - 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 8 K, 76 pitches, 50 strikes (65.8%)
#6 - LHP Dasan Hill (Cedar Rapids) - Game 2: 1 2/3 IP, 3 H, 5 ER, 5 BB, 4 K, 70 pitches, 38 strikes (54.3%)
#7 - OF Gabriel Gonzalez (St. Paul) - 1-for-3, BB, K (Batted fourth, played LF)
#8 - LHP Kendry Rojas (St. Paul) - 3 1/3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 50 pitches, 29 strikes (58.0%)
#9 - SS Marek Houston (Cedar Rapids) - Game 1: 0-for-3, BB, K, Game 2: 1-for-4, 2 K (both games, batted leadoff, played SS)
#10 - RHP Charlee Soto (Cedar Rapids) - Injured List
#11 - RHP Riley Quick (Ft. Myers) - 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 K, 48 pitches, 28 strikes (58.3%)
#12 - RHP Andrew Morris (Minnesota) - No Game Scheduled.
#13 - 3B/CF Brandon Winokur (Cedar Rapids) - Game1: 0-for-2, BB, K, Game 2: 1-for-2, BB, 2B(2),  (batted 3rd/4th, played 3B).
#14 - 3B/SS Quentin Young (Ft. Myers) - 0-for-3, BB, 2 K, E(7) (batted third, played SS)
#15 - RHP Marco Raya (St. Paul) - Did Not Pitch
#16 - OF Hendry Mendez (Wichita) - 3-for-5, 2B(2), R, 2 RBI, E(1) (batted third, played 1B, then LF)
#17 - 2B/OF Kyle DeBarge (Wichita) - 1-for-5, HR(2), R, RBI, K (batted first, played 2B) 

#18 - RHP C.J. Culpepper (Wichita) - Did Not Pitch
#19 - C/OF Khadim Diaw (Cedar Rapids) - Game 1: 1-for-2, BB, R (batted second, played CF), Game 2: 0-for-2, BB (batted third, played CF).
#20 - RHP James Ellwanger (Ft. Myers) - Did Not Pitch

UPCOMING PROBABLES
Friday:
Lehigh Valley @ St. Paul (6:37 pm CT) - Zebby Matthews (0-2, 8.76 ERA)
Springfield @ Wichita (6:35 pm CT) - Ty Langenberg (0-1, 1.54 ERA)
Quad Cities @ Cedar Rapids (6:05 pm CT) - RHP Adrian Bohorquez (0-0, 9.53 ERA)
Lakeland @ Ft. Myers (6:05 CT) - RHP Merit Jones (0-0, 3.52 ERA) 

CURRENT W-L Records
Minnesota Twins: 11-8
St. Paul Saints: 7-10
Wichita Wind Surge: 6-6
Cedar Rapids Kernels: 6-6
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels: 8-4
FCL Twins: 0-0 (season begins Monday, May 4)
DSL Twins: 0-0 (season begins Monday, June 1) 

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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[DataNerd]

Some really good pitching performances.  Unfortuately there seems to be a statcast issue, so don't have any data for Prielipp/Rojas/Quick, but based on the results it's looking good.

Hill needs to throw strikes.  Definitely not giving up on him, but he might be behind Prielipp/Rojas/Quick right now.

[Bangkok Twins Fan]

Another good, detailed report, Seth, Many thanks for the work you put into these recaps. Very encouraging to see Prielipp going deeper into games this season. And the fact that only walked one batter and struck out eight is even more encouraging. I don't expect any complete games this season, nor would it be advisable, but I love seeing him on the mound for longer stretches. With all the pre-season talk about putting him in the bullpen, I still think it's make more sense to keep him as a starter.