Twins Minor League Hitter of the Month: August 2024

The Minnesota Twins organization has long been known for its ability to develop homegrown talent, and this year's crop of minor-league hitters is no exception. With a farm system brimming with promising young bats, the future looks bright. From power-hitting corner infielders to fleet-footed outfielders, the Twins have a diverse array of talent that could soon make an impact at the major league level. Let’s dive into the top hitters in the Twins' minor league system from August. 

Honorable Mention

• OF Eduardo Beltre– DSL Twins– 14 G, 18-for-55, .327/.387/.691 (1.078) with five doubles, five home runs, 16 RBI, six steals, five BB, 16 K. 
• OF Jeferson Morales – Wichita Wind Surge/St. Paul Saints– 23 G, 22-for-76, .290/.372/.474 (.846) with five doubles, three home runs, seven RBI, nine BB, 11 K.
• OF Jaime Ferrer– Fort Myers Mighty Mussels– 19 G, 18-for-64, .281/.397/.406 (.804) with eight doubles, seven RBI, five steals, six BB, nine K.
• IF Diego Castillo– St. Paul Saints– 21 G, 22-for-81, .272/.355/.432 (.787) with seven doubles, two home runs, 13 RBI, 10 BB, 12 K.
• IF Rubel Cespedes– Cedar Rapids Kernels– 26 G, 28-for-98, .286/.333/.388 (.721) with seven doubles, one home run, 14 RBI, 5 BB, 21 K. 
• OF Caden Kendle– Fort Myers Might Mussels– 16 G, 26-for-54, .296/.387/.407 (.795) with six doubles, eight RBI, two steals, seven BB, five K. 
• IF/OF Daiber De Los Santos– DSL Twins– 12 G, 22-for-51, .431/.482/.588 (1.070) with six doubles, one triple, eight RBI, eight steals, three BB, 15 K. 

THE TOP FIVE HITTERS
Number 5– Fort Myers Mighty Mussels– IF/OF Brandon Winokur– 24 G, 26-for-94, .277/.327/.543 (.869), five doubles, one triple, six home runs, 15 RBI, nine steals, 7 BB, 26 K.
Winokur was limited to 14 games or less in June and July, so seeing him put together a healthy month in Fort Myers was nice. The 19-year-old outfielder is over two years younger than the average age of the competition in the Florida State League. He’s only had 12 at-bats all season versus younger pitchers. He had nine multi-hit games during August, including a masterful performance on August 16th, going 3-for-5 with three home runs and four RBI. Later in the month, he hit a walk-off homer for Fort Myers on August 27th. He’s a player that will continue to rise on Twins prospect lists this winter. 

Number 4– St. Paul Saints– IF Payton Eeles, 26 G, 28-for-84, .333/.412/.512 (.924), six doubles, three triples, one home run, 12 RBI, six steals, 9 BB, 10 K. 
Eeles began the year with independent Southern Maryland. After six games, the Twins signed him and he went to play in Fort Myers before moving to Cedar Rapids in June and skipping Double-A when the Saints needed infield depth in early July. He hit well in the low minors to begin the season, but it took some time for his bat to adjust to Triple-A. August was the month where he put it all together for the Saints. He had seven multi-hit games during the month and was among the team leaders in batting average, OBP, and SLG. The Twins are comfortable using him at multiple infield positions, and he’s started to see limited action in the corner outfield spots, too. He’s putting himself in contention for a utility spot on the Twins bench next season. 

Number 3– Cedar Rapids Kernels– OF Walker Jenkins, 25 G, 31-for-100, .310/.369/.540 (.909), 10 doubles, two triples, three home runs, 14 RBI, four steals, 9 BB, 15 K. 
Jenkins is the biggest name in the Twins organization, and he was promoted to High-A shortly before the calendar flipped to August. He showed no signs of struggling with the transition to a new level. Jenkins ended the month on a 10-game hitting streak and had seven straight games with an extra-base hit. He’s over three years younger than the average age of the competition in the Midwest League, and he’s only faced younger pitchers in eight at-bats this season. If he ends the season on a high note, Jenkins will be in the conversation as baseball’s top prospect entering next season. 

Number 2– St. Paul Saints– OF DaShawn Keirsey Jr., 24 G, 32-for-92, .348/.410/.554 (.964), four doubles, three triples, three home runs, 15 RBI, 11 steals, 9 BB, 22 K.
Keirsey was arguably the Saints' best hitter for August. He combines power and speed while playing at multiple outfield positions. With Byron Buxton injured, why the Twins weren’t giving him a chance in center field was perplexing. He had nine multi-hit games during the month, and on August 22nd, he went 4-for-4 with a home run, a triple, and three runs scored. Minnesota left him unprotected from the Rule 5 Draft last winter, and no teams picked him. They are going to have to add him to the 40-man roster this year because he has been one of Triple-A’s best hitters in recent weeks. 

And the Twins Minor League Hitter of the Month is:
Wichita Wind Surge/St. Paul Saints– OF Carson McCusker, 25 G, 29-for-95, .305/.353/.653 (1.006), seven doubles, one triple, eight home runs, 21 RBI, 7 BB, 28 K.
McCusker began the month at Double-A and hit .311/.346/.662 (1.008) with 13 extra-base hits in 19 games. The Twins promoted him to Triple-A on August 24th, and he continued his hot-hitting ways. He went 6-for-21 (.286 BA) in six games with two home runs and a double. He leads the Twins organization in XBH, TB, OPS, SLG, and HR. 

The Twins signed McCusker from the independent Frontier League last year after he posted a 1.307 OPS in 37 games. After signing, he split last season between Low-A and High-A, where he posted a .867 OPS in 46 games, but he was old for both levels. The 26-year-old has played both corner outfield spots this season, with some additional time at DH. Minnesota has depth in the corner outfield at the big-league level, but it will be interesting to see if McCusker gets an opportunity with his strong offensive skills. 

We want to congratulate St. Paul Saints’ Carson McCusker, Twins Daily’s choice for Minor League Hitter of the Month for August 2024. Feel free to share your thoughts and ask questions.