Twins Minor League Report (6/26): Austin Martin Returns with a Leadoff Blast for St. Paul

K. Culpepper playing great D is the best thing I read today though the other Culpepper pitching great was 2nd.

1 hour ago, FlyingFinn said:

K. Culpepper playing great D is the best thing I read today though the other Culpepper pitching great was 2nd.

The double Culpepper highlights were fun stuff indeed, but I also loved seeing Austin Martin smack the homer. A great way to come back!

Nice to see Martin back and doing well out the gate. He was playing really well before getting hurt and would have almost certainly gotten a call-up if he'd hadn't gone on the injury list. Bummer for him to miss that window, but hopefully he can pick up where he left off. Looking forward to seeing where he's at in a month or so after he gets some ABs back under him.

Sabato has been a pleasant surprise this season and he's continued his hot hitting in AAA. Good for him! Nice to see him make people pay attention to him again. The next leap is a big one, but he's gone from being seen as a bust to a possibility again.

Bohorquez has the stuff to be an interesting pitcher, but he's got to improve his command, because the walks are unsustainable. But he's still pretty young, and it's usually the last thing that comes together. Would like to see him get to a point where he earns the promotion to Cedar Rapids, rather than get there on scholarship.

Aaron Sabato is as hot as anybody in MILB.  What do the Twins have to lose.   No need to hold onto Jonah Bride.

39 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

Sabato has been a pleasant surprise this season and he's continued his hot hitting in AAA.

The Twins tanking probably would really help Sabato get a legitimate chance. They would probably call him up for the last month or two if he continued hitting like this, to see what he can do. Otherwise, if the Twins are in the race for the wild card, other than an injury to France, I don't see any way Sabato gets more than a McCusker like chance. And then, do the Twins really not sign anyone in the offseason and trust Sabato at 1B next year. I don't think so.

50 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

Nice to see Martin back and doing well out the gate. He was playing really well before getting hurt and would have almost certainly gotten a call-up if he'd hadn't gone on the injury list. Bummer for him to miss that window, but hopefully he can pick up where he left off. Looking forward to seeing where he's at in a month or so after he gets some ABs back under him.

Sabato has been a pleasant surprise this season and he's continued his hot hitting in AAA. Good for him! Nice to see him make people pay attention to him again. The next leap is a big one, but he's gone from being seen as a bust to a possibility again.

Bohorquez has the stuff to be an interesting pitcher, but he's got to improve his command, because the walks are unsustainable. But he's still pretty young, and it's usually the last thing that comes together. Would like to see him get to a point where he earns the promotion to Cedar Rapids, rather than get there on scholarship.

I am hopeful that Martin is called back up in the next week to 10 days.

1 hour ago, jmlease1 said:

Nice to see Martin back and doing well out the gate. He was playing really well before getting hurt and would have almost certainly gotten a call-up if he'd hadn't gone on the injury list. Bummer for him to miss that window, but hopefully he can pick up where he left off. Looking forward to seeing where he's at in a month or so after he gets some ABs back under him.

That window is WIDE open. They should swap Martin for Keirsey ASAP. They certainly don't need to wait a month.

51 minutes ago, Five minute major said:

Aaron Sabato is as hot as anybody in MILB.  What do the Twins have to lose.   No need to hold onto Jonah Bride.

So you want Sabato to sit on the bench, rarely play and occasionally pitch in blowouts?

1 minute ago, DJL44 said:

So you want Sabato to sit on the bench, rarely play and occasionally pitch in blowouts?

lol. It is the issue, isn't it? But Sabato has had a good start at AAA, following promotion from AA where he finally put together a good half season. He's still got a lot more failure on his record than success, and I'd think the Twins will want to see more to show this isn't just a small sample size success in AAA.

That said, I tend to agree that if Martin can keep hitting for another few weeks he should get some real consideration to come up and replace Kiersey (since he can pinch run, play OF, and might actually be able to get a hit). Much as I don't think Bride deserves a spot on the roster, I think he hangs on until Lewis is back. I think it's a mistake, but Twins management would prefer to keep a crappy player on the end of the bench than lose the depth.

Sabato late bloomer?

4 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

Sabato has had a good start at AAA, following promotion from AA where he finally put together a good half season. He's still got a lot more failure on his record than success, and I'd think the Twins will want to see more to show this isn't just a small sample size success in AAA.

That said, I tend to agree that if Martin can keep hitting for another few weeks he should get some real consideration to come up and replace Kiersey (since he can pinch run, play OF, and might actually be able to get a hit). 

Agree on Sabato. Give him the rest of the year at AAA.

Martin has already shown more at the MLB level than Keirsey. They don't need to wait a few weeks. They can make that move like an injury rehab - 5 games and he's up.

Great seeing what Martin and Sabato are doing of late.  Is Martin's role on this team replacing Castro, if/when he is traded at the deadline?  Very similar abilities. 

As for Sabato, expect like many of you I had forgotten about him.  Somewhat amazing that he moves up to AAA and keeps hitting as he had been.  Could he be someone who took time, but still could become a good major league player?

Always concerned when I don't see Jenkins in the lineup.  Thanks for the mention why.  And tonight is the night that Prielipp is back on the hill.  Here's hoping for a great outing.

If Martin proves he is healthy he should immediately replace the automatic out that is Keirsey. Next we just have to replace Bride with someone who can hit....

5 minutes ago, rdehring said:

Is Martin's role on this team replacing Castro, if/when he is traded at the deadline?

No, that's Keaschall's role.

4 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

No, that's Keaschall's role.

Hear you DJL and haven't even thought about that.  On the other hand, I am hopeful that Keaschall is a starter with a fixed position.  Say second base.

Good to see Martin back.  He was good out of the gates this year and picked up where he left off.

Sabato?  It's only been 11 games at AAA but he has been better than AA.  His wRC+ is 1.044 now.  I don't know what to think but I am loving it.  I was so down on him it seems like a gift.  If they don't make a run soon, and he keeps this up through July, do we see France traded and Sabato getting a shot after the deadline?  He would have a total of 150-175 PAs in AAA around the deadline.

7 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

Good to see Martin back.  He was good out of the gates this year and picked up where he left off.

Sabato?  It's only been 11 games at AAA but he has been better than AA.  His wRC+ is 1.044 now.  I don't know what to think but I am loving it.  I was so down on him it seems like a gift.  If they don't make a run soon, and he keeps this up through July, do we see France traded and Sabato getting a shot after the deadline?  He would have a total of 150-175 PAs in AAA around the deadline.

While I don't think that would be a crazy decision...I doubt France gets dealt to open up a spot for Sabato, and the team seems to really like France. (I'm less enthusiastic; he's been fine for what we paid, but he's a below average regular. But this organization is so snakebit from late season injuries that they simply won't shed a veteran player, and they've been uninterested in clearing space for a rookie to take a shot in the past) But I would love Sabato to keep hitting and force the issue. 

It's a great story right now: high draft pick who struggled early, got labeled a bust, was written off by almost everyone, now on the cusp of realizing the dream of being an MLB player? Let's hope he realizes it by playing so well in AAA that they have to promote him. 

(things have been so negative around here lately, it almost feels like some people would prefer that Sabato collapse, because then they wouldn't be able to point to Sabato as a failed pick by the front office...)

I can't wait till he gets a shot again. With his bat to ball skills he can be a good addition to the lineup. 

18 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

While I don't think that would be a crazy decision...I doubt France gets dealt to open up a spot for Sabato, and the team seems to really like France. (I'm less enthusiastic; he's been fine for what we paid, but he's a below average regular. But this organization is so snakebit from late season injuries that they simply won't shed a veteran player, and they've been uninterested in clearing space for a rookie to take a shot in the past) But I would love Sabato to keep hitting and force the issue. 

It's a great story right now: high draft pick who struggled early, got labeled a bust, was written off by almost everyone, now on the cusp of realizing the dream of being an MLB player? Let's hope he realizes it by playing so well in AAA that they have to promote him. 

(things have been so negative around here lately, it almost feels like some people would prefer that Sabato collapse, because then they wouldn't be able to point to Sabato as a failed pick by the front office...)

I agree on replacing France.  That's why I qualified with "if they don't make a run soon".  It makes perfect sense to move an expiring contract and give a prospect a chance if we are out of the race.

1 hour ago, rdehring said:

Great seeing what Martin and Sabato are doing of late.  Is Martin's role on this team replacing Castro, if/when he is traded at the deadline?  Very similar abilities. 

As for Sabato, expect like many of you I had forgotten about him.  Somewhat amazing that he moves up to AAA and keeps hitting as he had been.  Could he be someone who took time, but still could become a good major league player?

Always concerned when I don't see Jenkins in the lineup.  Thanks for the mention why.  And tonight is the night that Prielipp is back on the hill.  Here's hoping for a great outing.

Sabato is the classic case of a guy who was listening to way too much noise and information between the ears, internally and externally. Simplify. Everything. Presto. 

Martin was really needed at 2B to begin the season with his getting on base, being a terror, & the fire that this team really needs. If he was placed there he might not have gotten hurt in CF. Martin is still needed there at this capacity, but he needs some time at AAA to be 100%, I wouldn't rush him especially not sending him to steal home shortly after his return like they did last time.

Keirsey hasn't gotten any regular ABs all year except for his short stint at AAA. Send him down to AAA & keep him there until he's primed to face MLB pitchers. Twins have really screwed his hitting development.

3 hours ago, Tibs said:

Sabato late bloomer?

Yes. He worked very hard on his swing and approach to hitting last winter and looks more athletic this year with really good swing choices and it's showing up in the results. This is the type of work and success that gets you promoted so we'll see what happens.

2 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

keep him there until he's primed to face MLB pitchers. Twins have really screwed his hitting development.

So...forever. 

I think the Twins development sucks, but Twins haven't screwed up his development at all. He's taken over 2000 plate appearances in the minors, including over 600 in AAA. Put simply, his development was screwed up by way of not having enough talent.

Fun Fact: DaShawn Keirsey Jr. is currently the worst hitter in Minnesota Twins franchise history, including only players with a minimum 80 plate appearances and excluding pitchers.

1 hour ago, NYCTK said:

Fun Fact: DaShawn Keirsey Jr. is currently the worst hitter in Minnesota Twins franchise history, including only players with a minimum 80 plate appearances and excluding pitchers.

Ouch.