Twins Minor League Report (6/21): Alan Roden and Orlando Arcia, the New Bash Brothers?

[Matt Braun]

Image courtesy of William Parmeter (photo of Byron Chourio)

TRANSACTIONS
LHP Kendry Rojas returned to Twins

Saints Sentinel
St. Paul 12, Omaha 15 (12 Innings)
Box Score
Trent Baker: 1 1/3 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
HR: Alan Roden 2 (6, 7), Matt Wallner (11), Orlando Arcia 2 (9, 10)
Multi-hit games: Alan Roden (4-for-6, 2 HR, 3 R, 2 RBI), Orlando Arcia (2-for-6, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI), Aaron Sabato (2-for-6, R), Ben Ross (2-for-4, 2 RBI, BB)

The Saints lost a high-scoring affair on Sunday.

You don’t see many games where a team with a nine-run inning loses. Then again, there was nothing ordinary about what occurred in this game. St. Paul racked up 12 runs across 15 hits, had two players crack two homers, and lost in the 12th after sending Tanner Schobel to the mound as a human white flag. Pitching in a game that was tied. These things happen in the minors.

Alan Roden led off the game with a homer, which served as the team’s lone run until their vigorous fourth inning assault on Aaron Sanchez. And what a frame it was. Matt Wallner and Orlando Arcia bombed back-to-back, and Ben Ross drove in two with a single. A short two-out sequence threatened to cut the rally short, yet the Saints continued to clobber, as Gabriel Gonzalez plated two more with a double before Arcia concluded things with a three-run homer, his second long ball of the inning.

That proved to be the zenith of the game. The Saints’ pitching simply couldn’t hold up. Five of the team’s “pitchers”—we’re air-quoting the word because it includes Tanner Schobel’s gift of an outing—allowed at least two runs, as St. Paul’s lead slowly whittled away until it became Omaha’s lead.

Roden cracked a second homer in the eighth off former Saint Dan Altavilla. He’s slashing .333/.463/.632 at AAA this year.

Storm Chaser Abraham Toro hit for the cycle in the game.

No member of the Royals’ Top 20 prospects (per Royals Keep) list played in the game. 

Wind Surge Wisdom
Wichita 2, Springfield 5
Box Score
Cory Lewis: 4 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
HR: Jaime Ferrer (2)
Multi-hit games: Khadim Diaw (2-for-5, RBI), Jaime Ferrer (2-for-3, HR, 2B, R, RBI)

The Wind Surge failed to find much offense on Sunday.

Jaime Ferrer collected the only two extra-base hits for the team, a double in the fifth, and a homer in the ninth. 

That’s quite the opposite-field shot; even Ferrer was probably surprised that left the field. 

Has Cory Lewis figured something out? The righty owns a 2.25 ERA in the month of June, though that comes with a 1.40 WHIP, fueled in part by 12 walks in 20 innings. The sustainability of a stretch like this is perhaps dubious, but the deflated ERA after being pulverized to start the season is probably a nice respite.

Jose Olivares collected two scoreless innings in his second appearance out of the Wichita bullpen this season. 2026 has been a struggle for him. The walk bugaboo that has followed him throughout his career morphed into a full-blown walk monster; he’s offered 28 free passes over 33 2/3 innings with the Wind Surge this year. No walks were offered on Sunday, though.

The Cardinals played MLB’s 22nd-ranked prospect, catcher Rainel Rodriguez. He singled once in five at-bats.

Kernels Nuggets
Rain follows where Walker Jenkins goes. Why Mother Nature has beef with the top Twins prospect is unclear. The Kernels will make up this game on July 18th.

Mussel Matters
Fort Myers 13, Tampa 3
Box Score
Hendry Chivilli: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
HR: Jayson Bass (8), Luis Fragoza (6), Byron Chourio (3)
Multi-hit games: Ryan Sprock (2-for-5, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB), Quentin Young (2-for-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI, BB), Luis Fragoza (2-for-4, HR, R, 4 RBI, BB), Byron Chourio (4-for-5, HR, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI)

Inspired by the parent club, the Mighty Mussels rode a fifth-inning crooked number to a blowout win.

And what a frame it was. Fort Myers entered with two already on the board. A Byron Chourio single and a Merphy Hernandez hit by pitch started the onslaught. Innocuous enough. Ryan Sprock cracked a long double to center to score both men. The Mighty Mussels then loaded the bases and pushed across their fifth run when Quintin Young took four pitches outside the zone for the easiest RBI of his life. 

At this point, the DNA of this rally was of an ordinary ilk. Simply a few runs. Nothing unusual in the context—especially in the minors where momentum and avalanches are commonplace. But then, Luis Fragoza stepped to the plate, took a mighty hack, and walloped a hanging slider for a grand slam.

Oh, and Chourio tacked on a solo shot.

Oh, and they concluded the inning with a final run scored off a double steal/throwing error combo.

Hendry Chivilli enjoyed his best outing as a Mighty Mussel, tossing four shutout innings with a pair of strikeouts, a mammoth improvement over his woeful appearances on May 23rd and June 16th. Chivilli might be the most unique story in the Twins system this year: Minnesota handed him over $2 million as a part of their international haul in 2023, and after a pair of dreadful seasons at the plate, moved him to the mound where he has pitched shockingly well. He carries a 3.77 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP in 28 2/3 innings this year.

The Tarpons are a part of the vaunted Yankees farm system. A talented bunch, they did not reveal so in this game, as no member of their Top 30 prospect list appeared in the game.

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Hendry Chivilli
Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Alan Roden

PROSPECT SUMMARY
Here’s a look at how the Twins Daily Top 20 Twins Prospects performed:
#10 – Gabriel Gonzalez (St. Paul) - 1-5, 2B, R, 3 RBI, BB
#13 – Khadim Diaw (Wichita) - 2-5, RBI
#14 – Quentin Young (Fort Myers) - 2-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K
#19 – Billy Amick (Wichita) - 0-3, BB, K
#20 – Kyle DeBarge (Wichita) - 0-4, 3 K

MONDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
FCL Rays @ FCL Twins (11:00 AM) - TBD
DSL Miami @ DSL Twins (10:00 AM) - TBD

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[greglw333]

time now to call up Roden

[Dman]

Fragoza is one big boy for a 19 year old.  Although only 6'1" he looks thicker than Young who is 6'6".  They both have some power.  Only about 100 trips to the plate at A ball for Fragoza but he is slugging over .500 and has a .916 OPS.  He's currently not walking much so an aggressive approach which can catch up to guys.  Still a lot to dream on here given the success he is having at 19.  Hopefully he gets a chance at High A if keeps this up through June.

Sprock looks ready for a callup.  I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of movement next week for players in the FCL, A, A+, and AA.  Second half of the season will be starting soon.

 

[cheeseheadgophfan]

Wasn't Dasan Hill supposed to start today?  If so, why was he skipped?

This, on top of Soto's turn being skipped is concerning.....?

[Seth Stohs]

1 hour ago, cheeseheadgophfan said:

Wasn't Dasan Hill supposed to start today?  If so, why was he skipped?

This, on top of Soto's turn being skipped is concerning.....?

Probably because Cedar Rapids didn't play on Sunday due to weather. 

[ashbury]

1 hour ago, Seth Stohs said:

Probably because Cedar Rapids didn't play on Sunday due to weather. 

Details, details.  We expect top prospects to rise up above a bit of adversity.

[DJL44]

12 hours ago, greglw333 said:

time now to call up Roden

since returning to AAA

.556

.619

1.278

If Roden is promoted, Fedko is the likely demotion.

[jmlease1]

45 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

If Roden is promoted, Fedko is the likely demotion.

Unfortunately, that kind of puts the Twins back in the imbalanced roster problem they had to start the season. But Roden looks ready for another try at MLB; he certainly seems healthy. He's an interesting player: has absolutely murdered AAA pitching, but struggled in a fairly lengthy first stint in MLB (50+ games and 150 ABs isn't a cup of coffee). He's stretched at CF but would be a very good defender in either corner. There's nothing left for him to do in AAA except wait for a roster opening, and there really isn't one without taking time away from Larnach and Clemens, both of who are doing a fine job mashing RHP in the corner OF slots.

Maybe Walker Jenkins is a Rain God? The clouds and rain follow him around because they love him and want to make sure that he remains well-watered. (10 pts for anyone that gets that literary reference)

Wichita is still having offensive issues, but Diaw seems up to the challenge. Only flaw since his promotion is no xbh yet, but I'm pretty confident that will come. I'm always impressed when a hitter shows good patience and takes their walks upon promotion. It's a sign that they're not getting caught up in it and can stick with their plans.

[D.C Twins]

I could easily see Wallner ultimately end up playing in Japan and tearing it up there, but the MLB ain't going to be it for him for the long run. 

[Danchat]

50 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

Unfortunately, that kind of puts the Twins back in the imbalanced roster problem they had to start the season. But Roden looks ready for another try at MLB; he certainly seems healthy. He's an interesting player: has absolutely murdered AAA pitching, but struggled in a fairly lengthy first stint in MLB (50+ games and 150 ABs isn't a cup of coffee). He's stretched at CF but would be a very good defender in either corner. There's nothing left for him to do in AAA except wait for a roster opening, and there really isn't one without taking time away from Larnach and Clemens, both of who are doing a fine job mashing RHP in the corner OF slots.

It goes to show why including Roden in the package for Varland was confusing, the time to get value out of him is now. Or worst case scenario, definitely prove he can't hit in the majors. He's onto 530 PAs in his AAA career hitting .322 with a .950 OPS... if they're not going to use him, they may as well trade him (as part of a package) for a player who they will put on the field in the majors.

Not to mention Emmanuel Rodriguez will need to be on the 26 man roster next year given he'll be out of options, Roden will be in his final option year, Mendez is on track to be ready for the majors by then too. Add in Jenkins and Gonzalez... who knows what the outfield will look like next year.

[mickster]

39 minutes ago, Danchat said:

It goes to show why including Roden in the package for Varland was confusing, the time to get value out of him is now. Or worst case scenario, definitely prove he can't hit in the majors. He's onto 530 PAs in his AAA career hitting .322 with a .950 OPS... if they're not going to use him, they may as well trade him (as part of a package) for a player who they will put on the field in the majors.

Not to mention Emmanuel Rodriguez will need to be on the 26 man roster next year given he'll be out of options, Roden will be in his final option year, Mendez is on track to be ready for the majors by then too. Add in Jenkins and Gonzalez... who knows what the outfield will look like next year.

Erod will hopefully be another teams problem as the Twins will stay in contention and he will be traded to solidify our bullpen in the next 30-60 days

[jorgenswest]

1 hour ago, Danchat said:

Not to mention Emmanuel Rodriguez will need to be on the 26 man roster next year given he'll be out of options

Would he qualify for a fourth option based on his loss of time due to injuries? I think the 2022 season or possibly this season could make him eligible.

Maybe @Seth Stohs can help.

[DJL44]

2 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

Unfortunately, that kind of puts the Twins back in the imbalanced roster problem they had to start the season. But Roden looks ready for another try at MLB; he certainly seems healthy. He's an interesting player: has absolutely murdered AAA pitching, but struggled in a fairly lengthy first stint in MLB (50+ games and 150 ABs isn't a cup of coffee). He's stretched at CF but would be a very good defender in either corner. There's nothing left for him to do in AAA except wait for a roster opening, and there really isn't one without taking time away from Larnach and Clemens, both of who are doing a fine job mashing RHP in the corner OF slots.

Put Roden in the OF and use Kody Clemens as a utility guy. Roden “steals” one game a week from Lewis, Buxton, Bell, Keaschall, Larnach and Clemens. 

[Chembry]

Marek Houston has been promoted to AA.

 

[Danchat]

4 hours ago, mickster said:

Erod will hopefully be another teams problem as the Twins will stay in contention and he will be traded to solidify our bullpen in the next 30-60 days

If it's not just for a rental, sure.