Twins Minor League Report (6/30): Walker Jenkins and Saints Pounce on Bisons

[Steve Lein]

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints (photo of Kaelen Culpepper)

TRANSACTIONS

• RHP Eduardo Salazar was activated from the 7-day injured list. 
• The Minnesota Twins organization signed RHP Jesus Moreno and assigned him to the DSL Twins roster.

SAINTS SENTINEL
Buffalo 6, St. Paul 12
Box Score
The St. Paul Saints scored seven runs in the first inning of this one, the third time this season they have done so, putting this one out of reach for Buffalo before most fans had even finished their first beverage.

Alan Roden led off the bottom of the first with his eighth homer. Kaelen Culpepper and Walker Jenkins followed with singles. Matt Wallner was hit by a pitch. Orlando Arcia and Gabriel Gonzalez delivered RBI singles. Then Cody Morissette clubbed a grand slam for the exclamation point.

While that start was exciting, what was not was the second at-bat of the frame for Culpepper. He took a mid-90’s fastball off his hand and although he ended up going to first base, he did not take to the field in the top of the second. Ben Ross came on as his replacement.

Left-hander Aaron Rozek made the start at CHS Field, and finished the first four innings. He gave up three earned runs on four hits and two walks, while punching out seven. 

Noah Cardenas added a solo home run in the third, and Wallner hit a two-run shot in the fourth to make it 11-3. Ross and Jenkins had each doubled in front of Wallner’s blast.

Jenkins led off the bottom of the sixth with a triple, putting him a home run shy of the cycle, and scored on another RBI single from Arcia for their final tally.

Relievers Raul Brito (1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, BB, K), Grant Hartwig (1 2/3 IP), Jake Higginbotham (1 1/3 IP, 3 H, ER, K) and Taylor Rashi (1 IP, H, 2 K) combined to keep the Bisons at bay over the final five innings.

Jenkins finished 3-for-5 with three runs scored, his eighth double, and second triple of the season, driving in one. Roden, Ross, Wallner, Arcia, and Cardenas all collected two hits as the Saints racked up 17 as a team. They went 6-for-11 with runners in scoring positing, left just six men on base, and struck out only four times on the night.

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Tulsa 11, Wichita 8 (10 innings)
Box Score
The last place Wichita Wind Surge welcomed the Texas League leading Tulsa Drillers to Equity Bank Park Tuesday night, and had them on the ropes heading into the ninth inning.

Wichita got on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the first after Jay Thomason led off with a single, and Khadim Diaw drew a walk in front of clean-up hitter Billy Amick. He drove them both in with a double and 2-0 lead after one.

Spencer Bengard took the starting duties and completed three innings. He was charged with two earned runs on three hits and two walks, while striking out four.

Amick put the Wind Surge back in front in the third with another RBI double to bring in Garrett Spain, who had singled to lead off the frame. Jaime Ferrer added an RBI single that made it 4-2.

The Drillers answered back in the fourth off Wind Surge reliever Darren Bowen. He gave up three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk in his lone inning, striking out one. No pitcher came out unscathed for the home team, as Zach Vennaro (1 IP, H, ER, 2 BB, 3 K), Paulshawn Pasqualotto (2 IP, 2 H, ER, 3 K), and Jacob Webb (2 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 BB, 3 K) each gave up one run through the ninth.

But the Wind Surge had answered in the bottom of the seventh to give them the lead before that. Amick reached on an error to start the inning. Kyle DeBarge drove him in with a single. Ferrer’s double tied the game at seven, then a sacrifice fly from Jose Salas put them in front.

Webb delivered a scoreless eighth inning and got two outs in the top of the ninth before an RBI single tied the game. The Wind Surge got shut down in the bottom half to send it to extra innings. 

Sam Ryan took on those extra duties and had trouble keeping the ball in the strike zone. After a pop-out he walked the next two hitters to load the bases, before a wild pitch gave the drillers the lead. Another intentional walk, an RBI single, and a sacrifice fly gave them a three-run cushion before the home team could escape.

They went down one-two-three in the bottom of the tenth to come out on the losing end after being one out away from victory. 

On offense Thomason (2-for-5, R, BB, K, SB), Spain (2-for-5, 2 R, HR, RBI, K), Amick (2-for-4, 2 R, 2 2B, 3 RBI, BB), and Ferrer (2-for-5, R, 2B, 2 RBI) each collected two hits.

KERNELS NUGGETS
Cedar Rapids 3, Quad Cities 8
Box Score
Brandon Winokur stepped into the batter's box at 6:34 PM CDT for Tuesday night’s first pitch, and seconds later it left the ballpark for a 1-0 lead.

Dasan Hill took to the bump for the Kernels, and despite keeping the River Bandits off the scoreboard, labored through just 1 2/3 innings on 54 total pitches, with 32 going for strikes (59%). He did rack up five strikeouts via some extended at-bats and allowed one hit, but two consecutive walks to load the bases ended his outing in the middle of the second after a visit to the mound from trainers.

Yehizon Sanchez got the final out of the second and completed two more. He was charged with one earned run on four hits and a walk in 2 1/3 innings, striking out three.

Cedar Rapids took back the lead in the top of the fifth. Yasser Mercedes led off with a walk, and Henry Kusiak then launched his second home run with the Kernels for a 3-1 lead.

Nick Trabacchi delivered a one-two-three fifth inning but wasn’t as lucky in the sixth. A pair of two-run homers put the River Bandits in front 5-3 and they wouldn’t look back. Trabacchi was charged with four earned runs on three hits and a walk in his two innings to take the loss. He struck out one.

Adam Falinski (1 2/3 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K) and Brian Zeldin (1/3 IP H, K) finished off the final two innings.

Winokur (2-for-4, R, HR, RBI) and Danny De Andrade (2-for-4, 2 K) each had two hits in the loss. As a team the Kernels went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and left just five men on base.

MUSSEL MATTERS
Fort Myers 5, Clearwater 4
Box Score
The Mighty Mussels traveled north on I-75 to face the Threshers this week, the low-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Righty Kolten Smith made the start and finished the first four innings. Outside of the second inning where Clearwater racked up three hits and three runs, he scattered just two other hits in his other three scoreless innings. He was charged with three earned runs on five hits while striking out three.

Fort Myers started chipping away at that lead in the top of the third, and after the fifth they had it tied up. Merphy Hernandez led off the third with a single, stole second for his 24th swipe of the season, and scored after an errant pickoff throw toward second base. In the top of the fourth Luis Fragoza crushed his ninth home run of the season at 105 MPH. In the fifth, Irvin Nunez led off with a single, moved up both bases on wild pitches, then scored on an error that would have ended the inning.

Reliever Callan Fang took over for Smith to start the fifth and was excellent over the next three innings, allowing just two hits and striking out three. 

In the top of the eighth Quentin Young delivered a one-out single in front of Nunez, who hit his second home run of the year to give them their first lead of the game.

The Threshers answered with one run of their own in the bottom half, but that would be it as Eric Hammond buckled down and finished off the game for his first save. The run was unearned, and over his two innings he allowed one hit, walked two, and struck out one to end the game.

Nunez led the way on offense with two hits in four at-bats, including the homer. He also scored two runs. Ryan Sprock (0-for-3, 2 BB, K) and Ramiro Dominguez (1-for-3, 2 BB) each drew a pair of walks from the top of the lineup.

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
FCL Pirates 1, FCL Twins 2 (7 innings)
Box Score
The Pirate’s leadoff man, Darell Morel, hit his third home run of the season to start the top of the first inning and give his squad a one-run lead. The Twins answered with a run of their own in the bottom half as Yovanny Duran drew a leadoff walk, stole his 19th base of the season, and scored on a single from Jhomnardo Reyes.

The fact the Twins went on to win this one from there was quite miraculous, as that would be their only hit of the game.

They added the winning run in the bottom of the fifth thanks to a walk, hit-batter, and a wild-pitch that allowed Darwin Almanzar to scamper home.

The Twins pitching staff allowed only four hits of their own, striking out 10 compared to just one walk. Billy Oldham started and although he gave up the homer, struck out the next three hitters. Jake Hunter gave up one hit and one walk in his two innings, striking out two. Cristian Hernandez got the bulk work and finished off the game, allowing just two hits and striking out five over the final four innings.

DOMINICAN DAILY
DSL Twins 3, DSL Rockies 13 (7 innings)
Box Score
The Rockies scored in six of seven innings, bludgeoning Twins pitchers on their way to a blowout.

Right-hander Yosangel Braffit made the start and delivered a scoreless first inning. He went on to finish the second but was charged with seven earned runs on four hits and five walks in his two innings. He struck out three. Herkyn Taveras (2 IP, H, ER, 3 BB, K), Jeremy Jimenez (1 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, K), and Aldwin Morillo (1 IP, ER, 4 BB) combined to allow the final six runs over their five-relief innings.

The Twins lineup was outhit 8-6 in the game, with Daiyer Barboza (2-for-3, 2 R, HR, RBI, BB, SB) and Misael Rodriguez (2-for-3) collecting two-thirds of those knocks. Jhon Gonzalez and Fabian Ulloa added singles, while Luis Duarte drew two walks in three at-bats and scored a run.

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Pitcher of the Day – Cristian Hernandez, FCL Twins (W, 4 IP, 2 H, 5 K)
Hitter of the Day – Walker Jenkins, St. Paul Saints (3-for-5, 3 R, 2B, 3B, RBI)

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): 3-for-5, 3 R, 2B, 3B, RBI
#2 - IF Kaelen Culpepper (St. Paul): 1-for-1, R, HBP (left game)
#4 - C Eduardo Tait (Cedar Rapids): 0-for-4, 2 K
#8 - OF Hendry Mendez (St. Paul): 1-for-5, K
#9 - LHP Dasan Hill (Cedar Rapids): 1 2/3 IP, H, 2 BB, 5 K
#10 - OF Gabriel Gonzalez (St. Paul): 1-for-4, R, RBI
#12 - 3B/CF Brandon Winokur (Cedar Rapids): 2-for-4, R, HR (10), RBI
#13 - C/OF Khadim Diaw (Wichita): 0-for-3, R, BB, 2 K
#14 - 3B/SS Quentin Young (Fort Myers): 1-for-3, R, BB, 2 K
#18 - OF Yasser Mercedes (Cedar Rapids): 1-for-3, BB, K, SB (17)
#19 - 1B/3B Billy Amick (Wichita): 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 2B, 3 RBI, BB
#20 - 2B/OF Kyle DeBarge (Wichita): 1-for-5, R, RBI, 2 K

WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
Buffalo @ St. Paul (7:07 PM CDT) - RHP Ty Langenberg (3-2, 3.63 ERA)
Tulsa @ Wichita (7:05 PM CDT) - RHP Chris Vallimont (0-1, 2.70 ERA)
Cedar Rapids @ Quad Cities (6:30 PM CDT) - RHP Riley Quick (0-2, 4.86 ERA)
Fort Myers @ Clearwater (5:30 PM CDT) - RHP Ramiro Villanueva (0-2, 4.38 ERA)

Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Tuesday’s games!

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[Patzky]

Fedko is a non grata, might as well get Roden up here to speed the inevitable.

[jmlease1]

Please don't be injured Culpepper, please don't be injured Culpepper...

Have to admit, I'm starting to get intrigued by this Fragoza kid; it's been quite the power explosion in Ft. Myers for him!

Very nice game by Walker Jenkins. Please stay healthy, mah dude.

[Dman]

Looks like Hill is on a pitch count of about 50 pitches?  He hasn't gone very far the last few times out. You'd like to think he could to three innings at a fairly efficient 15 pitches per inning, but alas he couldn't even get through 2.  On the bright side he continues to get his K's and keep his ERA down.  it looks like it is going to take a lot more time than I thought it might with Hill.

That AAA lineup has been lethal this year and it has needed to be with most of it's starting rotation in Majors right now.

[Steve Lein]

21 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

Please don't be injured Culpepper, please don't be injured Culpepper...

Have to admit, I'm starting to get intrigued by this Fragoza kid; it's been quite the power explosion in Ft. Myers for him!

Very nice game by Walker Jenkins. Please stay healthy, mah dude.

It did not look good for Culpepper, but I'm with you.

Fragoza has been a revelation with Fort Myers! Definitely a name to keep an eye on. Hard to ignore 19 XBH, including 9 HR's in just 30 games on the big MLB spring training fields. Going back to 2021, the most homers from any Mussell was Brandon Winokur's 14 in 2024, and that was in 94 games.

On Jenkins, while watching the game I literally clapped and said "good job, Walker" because he pulled up on a long drive to dead-center that hit off the wall and didn't try to get it by crashing into it. Could he have caught it? Yes. Did he need to? Heck no.

[Steve Lein]

30 minutes ago, Dman said:

Looks like Hill is on a pitch count of about 50 pitches?  He hasn't gone very far the last few times out. You'd like to think he could to three innings at a fairly efficient 15 pitches per inning, but alas he couldn't even get through 2.  On the bright side he continues to get his K's and keep his ERA down.  it looks like it is going to take a lot more time than I thought it might with Hill.

That AAA lineup has been lethal this year and it has needed to be with most of it's starting rotation in Majors right now.

Not sure it's a pitch count related thing, necessarily. But typically if Twins pitchers throw more than 30 pitches in an inning, or have multiple in a row that they go over 20-something, their day is done. 

[jaimedude]

Does Wallner or Roden have any trade value for bullpen help? 

[Jeff K]

1 hour ago, jmlease1 said:

Please don't be injured Culpepper, please don't be injured Culpepper...

Have to admit, I'm starting to get intrigued by this Fragoza kid; it's been quite the power explosion in Ft. Myers for him!

Very nice game by Walker Jenkins. Please stay healthy, mah dude.

I think the Twins are cursed; my goodness.  Let's hope Culpepper is ok.  Maybe they should call up Jenkins before he gets injured again.  

[jaimedude]

I would rather have Walker Jenkins playing with Twins than Fedko and move someone else to the etra outfilder, punch run role. Team needs talent and guys that can hit, not bench riders for late substitution. 

[Patzky]

2 hours ago, jaimedude said:

I would rather have Walker Jenkins playing with Twins than Fedko and move someone else to the etra outfilder, punch run role. Team needs talent and guys that can hit, not bench riders for late substitution. 

The Saints released video of Jenkins coning to the aid of a youth who passed out on the field due to heat exhaustion last night. He quickly carried the boy off the field and to medical personnel. (Child was ok, it turned out.) Stand up guy.

[rdehring]

Fantastic seeing Jenkins hitting like last night.  Considering how long he was out, am a bit surprised he came back as strong as he did without a week or two of poor results.

Don't want to see either Roden or Jenkins up with the Twins until they are playing nearly every day.  Expect that may happen when/if the Twins find a good trade partner for Larnach later this month.  Also thinking the first man up will be Roden.  

It's also possible the Twins may not bring Jenkins up at all this year if he doesn't need to be added to the 40-man this fall.  Does he?  Should there not be baseball next spring/summer, it would be best for him to be playing in St. Paul versus being on strike or locked out versus getting a few weeks or month experience later this season.

[Twinsrtheworst]

Jenkins with a big day. Catching a young boy from falling over pregame and carrying him off the field. Prayers for the young man. IMO it deserves a mention in the article, not swept under the rug. Shoutout to Walker.

[Steve Lein]

2 minutes ago, rdehring said:

It's also possible the Twins may not bring Jenkins up at all this year if he doesn't need to be added to the 40-man this fall.  Does he?  Should there not be baseball next spring/summer, it would be best for him to be playing in St. Paul versus being on strike or locked out versus getting a few weeks or month experience later this season.

I think this is a very real point that I'm sure many teams are considering with their top prospects. 

They also have to wrestle this against whether bringing that player up can help them compete this year.

I think the Twins should already know that answer (and it's no), but ownership also expressed coming into the year, rather implausibly I might add, that they wanted to try and make the playoffs. So who knows.

Personally, I don't think a below .500 record at this point puts you in that conversation, even if you're only 3.0 games back of the wild-card. Most teams are still within 5 games, which swings either way depending on the week. 

[Steve Lein]

8 minutes ago, Twinsrtheworst said:

Jenkins with a big day. Catching a young boy from falling over pregame and carrying him off the field. Prayers for the young man. IMO it deserves a mention in the article, not swept under the rug. Shoutout to Walker.

Trust me, there was no sweeping under the rug here. That's such a random assumption to make, haha! I did not see this story, didn't hear it mentioned on the game's broadcast, nor saw it anywhere else (shrugs). But it is a great note to include, and thank you for those who commented to bring attention to it! Kudos to Walker for sure!

[jmlease1]

1 hour ago, Patzky said:

The Saints released video of Jenkins coning to the aid of a youth who passed out on the field due to heat exhaustion last night. He quickly carried the boy off the field and to medical personnel. (Child was ok, it turned out.) Stamd up guy.

good grief, he might actually BE Captain America! :D

[Patzky]

1 minute ago, jmlease1 said:

good grief, he might actually BE Captain America! :D

The Golden Locks in the wind... 

[Patzky]

6 hours ago, Jeff K said:

I think the Twins are cursed; my goodness.  Let's hope Culpepper is ok.  Maybe they should call up Jenkins before he gets injured again.  

St Paul is the Urgent Care but Target Field is the MASH tent, just ask Buck.

[Twinsrtheworst]

5 hours ago, Steve Lein said:

Trust me, there was no sweeping under the rug here. That's such a random assumption to make, haha! I did not see this story, didn't hear it mentioned on the game's broadcast, nor saw it anywhere else (shrugs). But it is a great note to include, and thank you for those who commented to bring attention to it! Kudos to Walker for sure!

I didn’t mean it personally. It isn’t random though honestly. So many players get ripped on this sight. I can point to 100s of articles and thousands of comments calling this or that player a bum, loser, weak, incompetent and various other random derogatory names.  About players they don’t even know. Point being, these guys are doing so much good on and off the field. So much! And it never gets talked about on here. So I did assume TD knew.. I can’t be the only fan that sees all there kindness and love they share. I don’t write or cover the Twins in any way. I assumed it was swept under the rug because there selfless acts are never discussed on here. And I can’t understand why? If we talk only about what a player isn’t, and never talk an about who they are…how can we appreciate them? So many offseason articles and comments about how bad having hope is. This is what hope looks like and does.

[jaimedude]

Walker Jenkins appears big league ready. 

[twinstalker]

On 7/1/2026 at 5:31 AM, Patzky said:

Fedko is a non grata, might as well get Roden up here to speed the inevitable.

Fedko is the best thing ever to happen to the Twins.