Twins Prospect Hot Sheet: Trio of Saints Making Call Up Bids

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of Peyton Vogel/Peyton Pics

The minor-league season is quickly running out of runway. With the final games approaching, there isn't much time left for prospects and organizational depth pieces to make one last impression before the offseason arrives.

For some players, September can provide an opportunity to earn a spot on the major-league roster. The expanded rosters of the past are gone, but the Twins still have a handful of decisions to make as they evaluate which players could help them down the stretch or potentially factor into next season's plans.

This week's hot sheet features three St. Paul Saints who have made plenty of noise lately. Emmanuel Rodriguez is finally healthy and producing, Cody Morissette has transformed his offensive game since joining the organization, and Aaron Rozek continues to provide valuable pitching depth.

Could one (or more) of them earn a September call-up?

OF Emmanuel Rodriguez — St. Paul Saints

How He Got Here: Ever since Rodriguez joined the Twins organization in July 2019 after signing for $2.5 million, the tools have been obvious. The bigger question has always been whether he could stay healthy long enough to show them consistently. That has been a difficult challenge.

Rodriguez's career-high for games played in a season is just 99, set back in 2023. He dealt with a knee injury in 2022, an abdominal strain the following year, and a thumb injury in 2024. Last season brought another combination of thumb, hip and oblique injuries.

Despite those setbacks, Rodriguez reached Triple-A at just 22 years old in 2025. He also performed well in the Dominican Winter League as he attempted to make up for some of the development time lost to injuries. Unfortunately, the injury bug returned this season. A torn ligament in his left thumb required surgery and kept him out for nearly three months.

Hitting the Hot Button: Now that Rodriguez is finally back, he's wasting little time reminding everyone why he remains one of the more intriguing offensive players in the organization. He played six games for the Saints this week, going 7-for-25 (.280) with a double, triple, home run, four RBI and five walks. The highlight came Tuesday in Omaha, when Rodriguez hit for the cycle.

More importantly, his production has been sustained since returning from the thumb injury. Over his last 21 games, Rodriguez has posted a .944 OPS while hitting five homers, three doubles and a triple. He's also swiped four bases. There's another important piece to this puzzle: Rodriguez is out of minor league options heading into next season.

That means the Twins will eventually have to make a decision on him. If Rodriguez is healthy and producing, it makes plenty of sense for the organization to get a look at him in the majors before the season ends.

INF Cody Morissette — St. Paul Saints

How He Got Here: Morissette's path to St. Paul has been anything but straightforward. The former Boston College standout was selected by the Miami Marlins in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft. He entered professional baseball viewed as a polished college hitter who could move quickly through the minor leagues.

He eventually reached Triple-A, but consistent offensive production remained elusive. That culminated in a .660 OPS across the upper levels last season. Morissette began 2026 back in Miami's organization, but the Marlins released him in June. The Twins signed the New Hampshire native to a minor league contract on June 8. Since arriving in St. Paul, something has clicked.

Hitting the Hot Button:  Morissette has been on an absolute tear lately. He homered in four consecutive games this week, becoming just the second player in franchise history to accomplish the feat. The only other Saints player to homer in four straight games was Drew Maggi.

That's impressive company, but Morissette isn't simply riding one hot stretch. Over his last 12 games, he's gone 15-for-48 (.313) with five home runs, two doubles and a 1.044 OPS. Since joining the Saints, Morissette has posted a 119 wRC+ across 60 games. That's a significant improvement from the offensive production that eventually led to his departure from the Marlins organization.

The Twins weren't necessarily expecting to find an impact bat when they signed Morissette in June. But he's certainly giving the organization something to think about as the season winds down.

SP Aaron Rozek — St. Paul Saints

How He Got Here: Rozek took a much different route to professional baseball. He went undrafted out of Minnesota State University, Mankato and spent parts of two seasons pitching in independent leagues. Coming out of the pandemic, he signed with the Twins and quickly demonstrated that he could handle the organization's aggressive developmental approach.

During his first season, Minnesota moved him from the rookie leagues all the way to Double-A. He finished that campaign with a 2.40 ERA and 74 strikeouts across 56 1/3 innings. Since 2023, Rozek has bounced between Double-A and Triple-A, filling whatever role the organization has needed. At times, he's provided starting depth. At other times, he's worked as a bulk reliever. Across six minor league seasons, Rozek owns a 4.27 ERA with 8.4 strikeouts and 2.8 walks per nine innings.

Hitting the Hot Button:  The Saints had been waiting a long time to see a starting pitcher put together a performance like this. Rozek finally delivered. For the first time in more than two years, a St. Paul starter completed six shutout innings. Rozek allowed just four hits while walking three and striking out three. The last Saints pitcher to throw at least six shutout innings was Louis Varland on August 3, 2024.

Rozek has also been solid since moving up from Double-A. In 96 innings at Triple-A, he has posted a 3.84 ERA with a 19.1% strikeout rate and a 9.1% walk rate. He's probably not going to generate the same excitement as a top prospect, but that's not necessarily his role. The Twins need organizational pitching depth, and Rozek has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to provide it.

Could Any of Them Get the Call?

September is all about evaluation for a team that has already shifted its attention toward the future. Rodriguez might have the clearest path to a call-up. His combination of prospect pedigree, recent production and lack of minor league options makes him a particularly interesting candidate. Morissette is forcing his way into the conversation with his bat, while Rozek continues to prove that he can be trusted as depth on the pitching side.

There are only so many games remaining to make an impression. These three Saints are certainly taking advantage of the opportunities they've been given.

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Will any of this trio make their MLB debuts in September? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

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[PuckettPond]

Erod needs to replace Ross after St Paul's season is over. Erod could be special if he stops playing dumb baseball. I recommend Baseball for Dummies @ Amazon looking for the chapter on how to slide & how to run to 1st base. 

[Rosterman]

I would add Sabato to this list. Twins could easily send back down Gonzalez and Ross, waive Jackson, and also option out Adams. Rosek is an aging LEFTY that they already lost in the minor league draft last year, but resigned. Give the guy a couple of innings. I like Morissette. Shows that you don't need to keep Gray on the 40-man. And no need to keep Kriedler into next season. You can find guys to be the spare parts. If you like them, sign them to a minor league contract that is beyond the norm.

Two weeks is plenty of time to give a few more guys exposure to the major leagues, see if they in any way should be considered in plans for 2027.

Heck, switch out Raya with maybe Morris. Let Morris have the rest of the season off. He seems a bit off in the last couple of weeks. 

[Nashvilletwin]

Looks like the Twins are going to run out the clock on ERod this season.  Just don’t get it….

Add him to the list of valuable players we will probably lose without getting anything in return - joining Ryan, Jeffers, and Lopez (won’t list Buxton because of his NTC, but assuredly we will get nothing for him either). 

[Bangkok Twins Fan]

As the article says, it makes sense for them to call up ERod and see how he handles MLB pitching. Then again, too many things that make sense to me don't happen. 

[Jeff K]

I thought Erod should have made the team out of spring training.  

[Trov]

11 hours ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Looks like the Twins are going to run out the clock on ERod this season.  Just don’t get it….

Add him to the list of valuable players we will probably lose without getting anything in return - joining Ryan, Jeffers, and Lopez (won’t list Buxton because of his NTC, but assuredly we will get nothing for him either). 

So confused by this comment.  You think ERod will become FA/DFA or just get put on waivers this off-season?  Also, Ryan and Lopez will also be back next year, unless traded this year, both are under team control so not sure where you conclude they will get no value from them.  Maybe they have them play year out, maybe get get extension, or maybe they get traded off-season or during season, you never know. 

Jeffers is only one that will walk for at best draft capitol, but sometimes that works out.  People forget we let Cuddy walk many years ago and drafted Berrios with that pick.  Sometimes the draft comp turns out be a bust, but sometimes it has good value. 

[Nashvilletwin]

10 minutes ago, Trov said:

So confused by this comment.  You think ERod will become FA/DFA or just get put on waivers this off-season?  Also, Ryan and Lopez will also be back next year, unless traded this year, both are under team control so not sure where you conclude they will get no value from them.  Maybe they have them play year out, maybe get get extension, or maybe they get traded off-season or during season, you never know. 

Jeffers is only one that will walk for at best draft capitol, but sometimes that works out.  People forget we let Cuddy walk many years ago and drafted Berrios with that pick.  Sometimes the draft comp turns out be a bust, but sometimes it has good value. 

The season next year won’t probably start until after July.  What do you think we will get for two months of Lopez and/or Ryan?  Jeffers is gone (although I hope we re-sign him).  I do not think we pony up for a multi year deal for a couple of 30+ pitchers with significant injury history   

Erod has to be on the roster - my understanding - when we break camp next season, whenever that may be.  So, if he has a poor “spring” training” or the team just doesn’t want to carry an unproven rookie or the team decides to “go for it” in the strike shortened season, then ERod has to be traded or goes on waivers.   What do you think we could get for him in those circumstances? The answer is not much.

 

[DocBauer]

Rodriguez needs to be up today or tomorrow. Get him as much time as possible, playing almost every day,  to get his feet wet in preparation for 2027. 

In fact, get Gonzalez and Ross as much time as possible as well as a prep for next season. I'm not saying to bench everyone, but Bell, Larnach, and Kreidler really don't need to play much the next 3 weeks. The Twins aren't playing for the post season any longer.

I'm intrigued by Morissette and have asked previously if we got a steal in him. He was a 2nd round pick and things just never worked out in Miami. But honestly, I'm not sure there's room to also add him and bring him up at this point, unless someone gets hurt.

Rozek might have a ML future as a LH middle man. But while he's a good organizational guy, I just don't know that he has enough pure stuff to get ML hitters out. Still, I've often thought the Twins should take a look at some point to see.

 

 

 

 

[weitz41]

3 hours ago, Nashvilletwin said:

The season next year won’t probably start until after July.  What do you think we will get for two months of Lopez and/or Ryan?  Jeffers is gone (although I hope we re-sign him).  I do not think we pony up for a multi year deal for a couple of 30+ pitchers with significant injury history   

Erod has to be on the roster - my understanding - when we break camp next season, whenever that may be.  So, if he has a poor “spring” training” or the team just doesn’t want to carry an unproven rookie or the team decides to “go for it” in the strike shortened season, then ERod has to be traded or goes on waivers.   What do you think we could get for him in those circumstances? The answer is not much.

 

I'm not as down on the guys you mentioned not being traded or called up as you are. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe not. It's baseball and requires a little more fairy dust then the NFL or NBA.

I have to base this off of comp picks being in the next CBA. Lopez and Ryan are 95% (no new injuries) chance of getting a QO. That's two low to mid 30's picks in 2028. So, two Riley Quick plus the actual 2028 1st rounder.

Jeffers is theoretically worthy of a QO. 3/45 is a reasonable extension. Worst case with no QO you are correct lost for nadda damn thing.

Emma. Just this season the team carried Outman, Fedko and now Ross as kinda dead spots on the roster. I would think carrying Emma would be no more difficult and that's if he can't hit MLB pitching.

I definitely think Emma should be on the active roster. Many options for who to move to make room. It's not like there's a real chance at a wildcard anymore.

 

[Nashvilletwin]

1 hour ago, weitz41 said:

I'm not as down on the guys you mentioned not being traded or called up as you are. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe not. It's baseball and requires a little more fairy dust then the NFL or NBA.

I have to base this off of comp picks being in the next CBA. Lopez and Ryan are 95% (no new injuries) chance of getting a QO. That's two low to mid 30's picks in 2028. So, two Riley Quick plus the actual 2028 1st rounder.

Jeffers is theoretically worthy of a QO. 3/45 is a reasonable extension. Worst case with no QO you are correct lost for nadda damn thing.

Emma. Just this season the team carried Outman, Fedko and now Ross as kinda dead spots on the roster. I would think carrying Emma would be no more difficult and that's if he can't hit MLB pitching.

I definitely think Emma should be on the active roster. Many options for who to move to make room. It's not like there's a real chance at a wildcard anymore.

 

A mid 30’s pick is not even close to two top 50 prospects (which the Bosox offered us for Ryan at the ‘25 trade deadline - who, btw, have become a better major league starter than Ryan and a consensus top 5 prospect in AAA who could very well be a starting IF for them next season.  Lopez during this off-season (before his injury) might very well have drawn a similar offer.

We just can’t seem to sell high…..

[Fred]

No offense to Maggi, but I never expected to see his name associated with "that's impressive company", even though I thought Baldelli did him dirty by not getting him into a game when they called him up.