Twins Minor League Report (6/24): Home Runs Lead Saints and Wind Surge to Second Half Opening Wins

TRANSACTIONS
There was a bunch of movement in the system on Monday and Tuesday as each of the full season affiliates began the second halves of their seasons.

• With St. Paul RHP Pierson Ohl was promoted from Wichita, and made his triple-A debut on Tuesday. RHP Connor Gillespie was optioned to the Saints and RHP Jose Urena activated. 2B Mickey Gasper was placed on the injured list with bilateral plantar fasciitis.
• The Wind Surge activated RHP John Stankiewicz from the 7-day injured list.
• After a rehab stint, 3B Billy Amick was activated from the 7-day injured list for the Kernels, while they also sent LHP Rafael Marcano on a rehab assignment with the FCL Twins.
• In Fort Myers C Ricardo Pena was put on the 7-day injured list with a lower back injury, sent RHP Anthony Narvaez and C Rafael Escalante on rehab assignments in the FCL, and received C Javier Roman from the FCL to fill in.

SAINTS SENTINEL
Louisville 1, St. Paul 6
Box Score
The Saints got a very good triple-A debut from right-hander Pierson Ohl, who held the Bats scoreless in his four innings. He allowed only weak contact all outing, scattering just three hits and no walks, while striking out one. He threw 54 pitches, with 40 of them going for strikes (74%). While there was only one strikeout, he did rack up eight swings and misses, with six of those coming on his changeup, which was obviously his go-to pitch. Never really being known for his velocity, Ohl was 91-94 MPH with his fastball, demonstrating that his velocity really isn’t a concern, especially when he’s dotting his changeup like Brad Radke.

St. Paul took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning after Ryan Fitzgerald led off with a double. He moved to third on a groundout before Aaron Sabato brought him in with an RBI single for the game’s first run. Two batters later Noah Cardenas launched his third home with the Saints to add on.

They put up another three-spot in the bottom of the fifth, with Edouard Julien leading off with a solo home run, his sixth of the year with the Saints. Don’t look now, but Julien is batting .324/.457/.581 (1.038) with five home runs and 12 RBI in 21 June games. Carson McCusker hit another two-run shot later in the inning to make it 6-0.

Michael Tonkin was credited with the win after chipping in three innings out of the bullpen. He was charged with the Bats lone earned run, a solo homer, and allowed just two other hits, while striking out two. Cody Laweryson closed out the final two innings, giving up two hits, a walk, and striking out one.

Julien (3-for-4, R, HR, RBI, K) and Sabato (2-for-4, R, 2B, RBI, K) had multiple hits to lead the offense. Payton Eeles finished 0-for-1 with a run scored, sac bunt, walk, and was hit by a pitch.

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Springfield 0, Wichita 3
Box Score
Starter Christian MacLeod and the Wind Surge bullpen held the Cardinals to just five hits on the game, and pitched a shutout in the process, while all of their offense came courtesy of solo home runs.

The left-handed MacLeod went the first three innings, scattering three hits and a walk, while striking out two to lower his ERA to 2.05 so far on the season in double-A.

Wichita got the first of their three home runs in the bottom of the second inning from Nate Baez, his second of the year. Kyler Fedko led off the bottom of the sixth with his 13th of the season to make it 2-0. Then finally in the bottom of the seventh, Kaelen Culpepper led off the inning with his first homer with the Wind Surge to make the final score.

The bullpen trio of Jacob Wosinski (W, 2 IP, 2 H, 2 BB), Mike Paredes (3 IP, 3 K), and Tanner Andrews (S, 1 IP, 2 K) combined to retire the final 13 Cardinals hitters of the game, and secure the win.

The Wind Surge got multiple hit efforts from Gabriel Gonzalez (2-for-4, 2 2B, K) and Baez (2-for-4, R, 3B, HR, RBI). Kala’i Rosario reached base four times with three walks. Walker Jenkins batted third and had a single and three strikeouts in four at-bats. As a team Wichita was 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left 10 men on base for the game, but they got plenty of power when the bases were empty.

KERNELS NUGGETS
South Bend 10, Cedar Rapids 6
Box Score
The Cubs and Kernels traded single runs back and forth in the second and third innings, before two in the third put the visiting team out front for good.

Starter Ty Langenberg went the first four innings, and was charged with those four runs (three earned) on three hits and three walks. He struck out two. Of his 78 pitches, just 43 went for strikes (55%).

Poncho Ruiz delivered an RBI single in the bottom of the second, and Billy Amick (in his first game off the IL) added an RBI single in the third to keep pace the first three innings.

Paulshawn Pasqualotto came on to start the fifth and delivered a scoreless inning, but the sixth was not nearly as kind. Six consecutive batters reached base before he was lifted, and he ended up charged with five runs (four earned) of his own in 1 1/3 innings pitched. Hunter Hoopes came in to get the final two outs, then also finished the seventh. He gave up a solo homer and struck out one. Nick Trabacchi retired all six Cubs he faced to finish the game, adding a strikeout.

The Kernels were able to add a pair of runs in each of the sixth and seventh innings, but it would not be enough. An RBI double from Andy Lugo and sac fly from Caden Kendle came in the sixth, while a RBI doubles from Kyle DeBarge and Kyle Hess made the final score.

Ruiz was the only batter with multiple hits, finishing 2-for-4 with the RBI. As a team they totaled seven hits and six walks, leaving seven men on base for the game.

While they may have lost their first game of the second half, the Kernels punched their ticket to the Midwest League playoffs in the first half by winning the division.

MUSSEL MATTERS
Fort Myers 3, Tampa 6
Box Score
The Tampa Tarpons scored four runs in the first two innings against Mighty Mussels starter Jason Doktorczyk that would be enough in the end. Doktorczyk, to his credit, did finish five innings, but was charged with all of the Tarpons' runs. He allowed seven hits, walked two, and struck out four.

Fort Myers got on the scoreboard in the fourth inning after Demeury Pena led off with a double. Two groundouts later he crossed home plate and it was 4-1. In the top of the sixth Pena again reached base to lead it off before a two out walk, stolen base, and two-run single from Blaze O’Saben pulled them within three.

That would be it for the offense, however, as the Mighty Mussels picked up just four hits as a team, with three of them coming from one player, and went an abysmal 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

Lefty Zander Sechrist held Tampa scoreless over the final three innings, allowing one hit, walking two, and striking out three.

O’Saben finished 3-for-3 with two RBI, a walk, and a stolen base to basically account for all of the Mighty Mussels offense on the night. Daniel Pena drew a walk and drove in one.

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
Monday: FCL Twins 5, FCL Rays 2
Box Score
The Twins got a solid effort from starting pitcher Joel Garcia, who set down seven hitters in his 4 2/3 innings. He was charged with two earned runs on five hits, and gave way to Andrew Huffman, who was credited with his fourth win in seven appearances with 1 1/3 scoreless innings to complete the sixth. He allowed one hit. Fellow relievers Anthony Narvaez (1 IP, BB), Leonardo Rondon (1/3 IP, 2 BB, K), and Brent Francisco (1 2/3 IP, H, K) finished out the final three scoreless innings. Narvaez and Rondon each picked up their first hold, while Francisco notched his third save.

The Twins offense ambushed the Rays in the top of the first inning for four runs. Ramiro Dominguez delivered the big blow, a three-run homer, his second of the season. Dominguez finished 2-for-4 with a double in addition.

Rehabbers Austin Martin and Emmanuel Rodriguez occupied the top of the lineup. Martin was 0-for-3 with a walk and a K. Rodriguez was 1-for-4 with a run scored and a pair of strikeouts.

Tuesday: FCL Twins 6, FCL Braves 7
Box Score
Rodriguez and Martin swapped spots in the lineup on Tuesday, and both picked up a pair of hits. Rodriguez was 2-for-3 with a double, walk, and two runs scored. Martin 2-for-5 with an RBI, stolen base, and one strikeout. They were the only hitters in the lineup with multiple hits. Luis Fragoza chipped in his sixth double and two stolen bases, while Ricardo Paez delivered an RBI triple.

Seven pitchers made an appearance in this one, with Erasmo Ramirez leading the way with two scoreless innings. He walked one and struck out one. Yoel Roque (1 IP, H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K) and Julio Bonilla (1 IP, 2 H, ER) pitched the first two frames. Rafael Marcano (1/3 IP, 2 H, ER, BB, K), Aiberson Ventura (1 2/3 IP, H, 3 K), Mitch Mueller (1 IP, H), and Anderson Ramos (1 IP, H ER, 2 BB, K) finished off the final five innings after Ramirez. Ramos was charged with the loss after giving up the go-ahead run in the eighth.

DOMINICAN DAILIES
Monday: DSL Twins 5, DSL Phillies White 3
Box Score
The Twins scored three runs in the top of the first by mixing three singles in with a sac fly and a Phillies error. They were able to take the win as they added single runs in the sixth and eighth frames. Teilon Serrano (2-for-5, R, 2 K), Carlos Taveras (2-for-5, RBI, K), and Jhomnardo Reyes (2-for-4, RBI, K) each chipped in two hits. Dencer Diaz added a double, walk, and RBI.

Three pitchers went two-plus innings in the win, with starter Omar Montano being responsible for all of the Phillies runs. He went the first 3 2/3 innings, and was charged with three runs (two earned) on two hits and two walks, while striking out four. Jensi Infante picked up his first win with 2 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit, one walk, and striking out two. Agustin Campusano picked up his first save by closing out the final three innings. He gave up two hits and struck out two.

Tuesday: DSL Phillies White 11, DSL Twins 6
Box Score
A big third inning from the Phillies spelled doom for the Twins in this one, even though they scored four runs of their own in the frame.

Starting pitcher Jeicol Surumay had two scoreless innings in the books before the Phillies got him in the third. He finished 2 1/3 innings, and allowed five earned runs on two hits and four walks by the time he was done. He struck out three. Greidi Pina was charged with three earned runs of his own in the eight-run third from the Phillies, but got the final two outs, including a K. Nestor Cafe (1 IP, BB, 3 K), Diego Rosal (3 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 K), and Juan Quinones (2 IP, 3 H, R, 2 K) finished the final six innings.

The Twins had just five hits, but did manage to score six runs thanks to 11 walks. Yovanny Duran led the way with two singles and a walk in five plate appearances, stole a base, and drove in two. Jameson Val drove in two with a single in the third inning.

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Pitcher of the Day – Mike Paredes, Wichita Wind Surge (3 IP, 3 K)
Hitter of the Day – Edouard Julien, St. Paul Saints (3-for-4, R, HR, RBI, K)

PROSPECT SUMMARY
Check out the Prospect Tracker for much more on our Twins Top 20 prospects, which was recently updated!

#1 – Walker Jenkins (Wichita): 1-for-4, 3 K
#3 – Emmanuel Rodriguez (Rehab w/FCL Twins): 3-for-7, 3 R, 2B, BB, 2 K (2 games)
#4 – Kaelen Culpepper (Wichita): 1-for-4, R, HR (1), RBI, BB, K
#9 – Brandon Winokur (Cedar Rapids): 0-for-4, BB, 2 K, SB (18)
#10 – Kyle DeBarge (Cedar Rapids): 1-for-5, R, RBI, SB (39)
#12 – Billy Amick (Cedar Rapids): 1-for-5, RBI, 2 K
#13 – Gabriel Gonzalez (Wichita): 2-for-4, 2 2B, K
#15 – Eduardo Beltre (FCL Twins): 0-for-6, R, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K (2 games)
#18 – Ricardo Olivar (Wichita): 0-for-3, BB
#20 – Payton Eeles (St. Paul): 0-for-1, R, BB

WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
Louisville @ St. Paul (1:07 PM CDT) - RHP Trent Baker (1-0, 5.79 ERA)
Springfield @ Wichita (7:05 PM CDT) - RHP John Klein (4-4, 3.23 ERA)
South Bend @ Cedar Rapids (12:05 PM CDT) - RHP Chase Chaney (5-1, 3.35 ERA)
Fort Myers @ Tampa (4:00 PM CDT) - LHP Michael Carpenter (0-3, 4.79 ERA)

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

Interested in learning more about the Minnesota Twins' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!