Steve Lein

I don't disagree, but it was a point of emphasis being made on the broadcast.

Good organizational depth. 24-year old getting his first action at the double-A level this year. He has stood out in a quite a few of my reports this year I feel like, hitting .300 with 30 steals, but is another lefty corner outfielder, lacking some thump.

It's definitely past time, in my opinion. Along those lines, the Dallas Keuchel thing just confuses me to no end.

While there were likely some jitters from prospects throughout the Minnesota Twins farm system as the MLB trade deadline loomed, especially looking back on last year, there ended up not being any drama to worry about. The Kernels broke off some lug nuts and Wichita didn’t get drilled in their home stadiums, but the Saints did get clipped on the road. A couple of 2023 draft picks also were promoted. Image courtesy of William Parmeter, MIghty Mussels (photo of Jorel Ortega) TRANSACTIONS 2023 Draftees, 2B Luke Keaschall and SS Jay Harry were assigned to the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels from the FCL Twins, and made their Low-A debuts. RHP Devin Kirby, signed on July 27th, was assigned to the FCL Twins. The burly (5-10, 220 pounds) right-hander signed with the Twins after spending the past two seasons at the University of Connecticut. This season, he went 7-1 with a save and a 4.35 ERA in 25 relief appearances. In 49 2/3 innings, he walked 11 and struck out 43 batters. SAINTS SENTINEL St. Paul 7, Columbus 15 Box Score Andrew Stevenson led off the game with his 13th home run of the season, and Jair Camargo followed in the second with his 15th long ball. They also had left-hander Brent Headrick on the mound, so things were looking good early for the Saints on the road. In the bottom of the second, Headrick gave back that early lead as four hits and a sac fly tied the game at two, but it could have been worse. With the game still tied going into the bottom of the fifth, it got worse. The first nine hitters of the inning reached base, with Headrick being lifted after five of them. His game ended after four-plus innings pitched in which he allowed seven runs (six earned) on eight hits and three walks. He struck out three. The Clippers ended up scoring eight total runs in the fifth to take a 10-2 lead, and it didn’t get much better from there. Relievers Austin Brice (1 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, BB, 2 K), Patrick Murphy (1 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, K), and Cody Laweryson (1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER) all got tagged for runs as well. Austin Schulfer managed to finish the game with a scoreless inning. He gave up one hit, one walk, and struck out one. Down 15-2 in the ninth inning, the Saints did find some life, but it was too little too late. Anthony Prato drew a walk to start the frame, Trevor Larnach moved him to second with a single, and Kyle Garlick drove him in with a double. Mark Contreras added an RBI single in front of an RBI double from Austin Martin. Tony Wolters added a sac fly and Martin was able to score after an error to make the final of 15-7. Larnach was the only hitter in the lineup with multiple knocks, as he finished 2-for-5 with a run scored. As a team the Saints were 3-for-7 with runners in scoring position, but left only five men on base for the game. WIND SURGE WISDOM Tulsa 1, Wichita 3 Box Score David Festa took the bump for the Wind Surge in Tuesday’s series opener against the Tulsa Drillers, still building back up his stamina after appearing in the Future’s Game over All-Star Weekend. In the first, he worked around a pair of singles and a walk by striking out three batters. He tossed perfect innings in the second and third innings. In the fourth, a single and a walk around another strikeout put an end to his outing after 63 pitches. In total, he went 3 1/3 innings, gave up three hits, two walks, and punched out six. The Wichita lineup gave him some early run support, as a DaShawn Keirsey Jr. double in the first was followed by a Yunior Severino single for a 1-0 lead. In the second, Tanner Schobel led off with a walk before Yoyner Fajardo launched his fifth home run of the season. From there, it was all about the pitching from both sides. Isaac Mattson contributed 1 2/3 scoreless innings after Festa’s exit. He walked one and struck out two. Regi Grace was charged with one run (unearned) in his 1 2/3 innings. He gave up one hit, walked one, and struck out one. Denny Bentley struck out two in an inning of work, before Francis Peguero recorded the final four outs without allowing a run. Fajardo led the offense with a two-hit night, including the home run, while Brooks Lee contributed his Texas League leading 31st double of the season. KERNELS NUGGETS Lansing 9, Cedar Rapids 12 Box Score Both teams had big innings throughout the contest, but Cedar Rapids was really in control throughout. They built an 8-1 lead after two innings, and every time the Lugnuts got close, the Kernels had an answer. A Jorel Ortega double in the bottom of the first put them in front 2-0 early, and then they tacked on a bunch more in the second. Ben Ross had a two-run triple and Ortega added his fifth home run in the six-run frame. Starting pitcher C.J. Culpepper didn’t have his best outing, but the lineup had his back plenty. In four innings, he surrendered five runs (four earned) on five hits and three walks. He struck out four. Alejandro Hidalgo came on for the fifth and went the next 1 1/3 innings. He was hit for three earned runs on four hits and two walks, and struck out one. Mike Paredes (2 1/3 IP, H, ER, BB, 2 K) and Miguel Rodriguez (1 1/3 IP, H, BB, K) were then able to stabilize the later innings. Rodriguez picked up his 13th save. Cedar Rapids got a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh on a two-run single from Noah Miller. He finished 2-for-4 with a run scored, three RBI, and a walk out of the leadoff spot. Joining him with multiple hits in the game were Ortega (2-for-3, R, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB, SB) and Misael Urbina (2-for-4, 3 R, 2B, BB). Ross, Andrew Cossetti, and Mikey Perez also each scored two runs. Emmanuel Rodriguez had a double, two walks, two RBI, and two stolen bases. It was a solid effort all around from the lineup that amassed 10 hits and 10 walks as a team. MUSSEL MATTERS Fort Myers 3, Dunedin 4 Box Score The Mighty Mussels jumped out to an early lead against the Blue Jays on Tuesday, scoring three runs in the first two innings. Hernan Perez led off the game with a walk and moved to third base on a Danny De Andrade double. Luke Keaschall, making his Fort Myers debut, then gave them their first run with a sac fly. Later in the first, Rafael Cruz delivered an RBI single for a 2-0 lead. In the second, Perez singled, stole second base, and then scored on a Ricardo Olivar single. Keaschall added his first double in his next at-bat, but that was it for scoring on the game for the Mighty Mussels. Despite their 12 walks as a team, they finished just 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position and left 16 men on base. Starter Jose Olivares was solid for almost six frames, missing a quality effort by just one out, but as a consolation prize matched his career high longest outing. In his 5 2/3 IP, he allowed just two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk. He struck out four. After falling behind early, the Blue Jays chipped away all game, scoring single runs in each of the fourth, sixth, and seventh innings to tie it. Juan Mendez was hit with a blown save for his 1 1/3 innings. He allowed one run on one hit and one walk. Ricardo Velez came on for the eighth and struck out all three hitters he faced. Back out for the ninth, it was a leadoff walk that did him and the Mighty Mussels in. He got the next two outs, including another K, but a single was enough to bring that leadoff man in from second for a Dunedin walk-off. Olivar (2-for-4, RBI, BB) and Keaschall (2-for-3, 2B, RBI, BB, K, SB) had multiple hits in the losing effort. Dylan Neuse added a double. Jay Harry finished 0-for-3 with two walks in his Florida State League debut. COMPLEX CHRONICLES FCL Orioles 6, FCL Twins 4 (7 innings) Box Score The Twins scored first in this one, thanks to the speed and hustle of Yasser Mercedes. Although he struck out to lead off the bottom of the first, the pitch got away from the catcher and he reached base. He then stole second, his sixth of the season, before Jose Rodriguez promptly drove him in with an RBI single and early 1-0 lead. The Twins starting pitcher, Eduardo Soriano, kept it that way until the fourth inning. He had retired nine in a row to that point, including five on strikeouts, before a walk to begin the top of the fourth. After a flyout, an error on shortstop Brandon Winokur opened the floodgates. A single, another walk, and six stolen bases later the Orioles had a 4-1 lead. Soriano came back out for the fifth, but another pair of walks put an end to his game after 4 1/3 innings. He ended up charged with all six Orioles runs (three earned) on one hit and four walks, and struck out six. The Twins added one run in the bottom of the fifth, and two in the sixth to make the final score, but couldn’t come all the way back. Daniel Pena and Cole Elvis delivered RBI doubles, and Poncho Ruiz added a sac fly. Pena (2-for-3, 2B, RBI, BB) and Andres Centeno (2-for-2, 2 BB) collected multiple hits. The bullpen duo of Kyle Bischoff (1 2/3 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K) and Miguel Olivares (1 IP, K) finished the game for the Twins. DOMINICAN DAILY DSL Twins 2, DSL Phillies Red 6 (7 innings) Box Score The Twins were ambushed by the Phillies Red squad and were never able to claw their way back into it. Starting pitcher Adrian Bohorquez was only able to finish one inning in this one, as the game was delayed by lightning before the top of the second. He was charged with two earned runs on three hits and a walk in his time on the mound. Eider Machuca took over when the game resumed and completed two innings. He allowed three runs (zero earned) on two hits and struck out four. Relievers Jose Betancourt (1 IP, 2 H, ER, K) and Luis Rincon (2 IP, H, BB, 2 K) finished off the final three innings. Heading into the seventh and final inning, the Twins lineup had just four singles and a walk to their ledger, but finally were able to put something together. Carlos Silva drew a one out walk and was followed by a double from Junior Del Valle to put runners on second and third. Javier Roman then delivered a two-RBI single to put them on the scoreboard. One out and a pair of walks later the Twins had the bases loaded with a slim chance to tie the game, but a pitching change put an end to their rally with a strikeout. Dameury Pena was the only hitter with multiple knocks, finishing 2-for-2. Moises Lopez stole his eighth base. TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY Pitcher of the Day - Jose Olivares, Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (5 2/3 IP, 3 H, 2 R (1 earned) BB, 4 K) Hitter of the Day - Jorel Ortega, Cedar Rapids Kernels (2-for-3, R, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB, K, SB) PROSPECT SUMMARY #1 - Brooks Lee (Wichita) - 1-for-4, 2B #3 - Emmanuel Rodriguez (Cedar Rapids) - 1-for-3, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, K, 2 SB #5 - Matt Wallner (Minnesota) - 1-for-3, R, 2B #7 - David Festa (Wichita) - 3 1/3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K #8 - Austin Martin (St. Paul) - 1-for-4, R, 2B, RBI, K #10 - Tanner Schobel (Wichita) - 0-for-1, R, 2 BB #11 - Yasser Mercedes (FCL) - 0-for-3, R, SB, K #12 - Luke Keaschall (Fort Myers) - 2-for-3, 2B, RBI, BB, K, SB #13 - Brandon Winokur (FCL) - 1-for-4, R, 2 K #16 - Kala’i Rosario (Cedar Rapids) - 0-for-4, 2 K #17 - Yunior Severino (Wichita) - 1-for-2, RBI, 2 BB, K #19 - Brent Headrick (St. Paul) - L, 4 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 3 BB, 3 K #20 - Jose Rodriguez (FCL) - 1-for-5, RBI, K WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS St. Paul @ Columbus (6:05 PM CDT) - RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (3-5, 5.93 ERA) Tulsa @ Wichita (7:05 PM CDT) - RHP Pierson Ohl Lansing @ Cedar Rapids (12:05 PM CDT) - RHP Zebby Matthews (3-1, 4.74 ERA) Fort Myers @ Dunedin (5:30 PM CDT) - RHP Jarret Whorff (2-2, 2.93 ERA) DSL Orioles Orange @ DSL Twins (completion of 7/17 suspended game) Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Tuesday’s games! 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I'd look specifically at the Dodgers, without knowing if there's actually any success stories there off the top of my head. Despite all their winning (means not having high draft picks) and free-agent spending (meaning they also have been losing a lot of high draft picks, didn't pick until #36 this year), they consistently year-in and year-out still have one of the top farm systems (they also do really well internationally). Examples of what they did this year, as relevant to the discussion: Pick 190, SS Bryan Gonzalez from Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy (HS), overslot by ~$100K Pick 250, OF Jaron Elkins, Goodpasture Christian School (HS), overslot by ~$210K Pick 550, LHP Sterling Patrick, South Hills HS, over"slot" by ~$200K For me, all of these guys are comparable to the two high-schoolers the Twins took with their last picks, in that they don't show up in any draft rankings, but are obviously liked by internal scouting departments. Even $400K can get these types to sign if you know your targets well enough.

I would trade Larnach for a rental in a heartbeat. The facts are, Larnach has had many opportunities, and never been able to run with it. Sure, you can blame a couple of injuries, but that doesn't change the fact that Matt Wallner has now surpassed him. He's redundant no matter what you think of his remaining potential to break out. Would love to get Hader for him. But I don't think Larnach alone gets that done either. The other idea I've kicked around is wondering if the Angels need a LHH. Swap Larnach for Jo Adell (but is injured at the moment).

Jenkins hasn't really been assigned anywhere yet, but I'd expect him to get at least 100 at-bats somewhere, starting perhaps next month. It almost assuredly will be on the FCL squad, as well as any of the other high school bats. The Twins haven't really sent HS pitchers to play much in the summer they are drafted, so I wouldn't necessarily expect Charlee Soto to make an appearance. Chase Petty pitched in 2 games after he was drafted, for a total of five innings. Most of the college draftees will get some run with the FCL squad to get acclimated, before moving onto Fort Myers or Cedar Rapids, depending mostly on their age and experience.

I was at spring training for an extended period before that season, and spent over a week watching games on the back fields. He was playing with the Beloit roster that included Miguel Sano, Eddie Rosario, and Kennys Vargas. It was a stacked lineup, and Sano and Rosario had battled for the Appalachian League home run title the year before and Kepler was on that team too. While I watched (think it was 5 games total),Kepler was, far and away, the best player on the team, and on the diamond period, every game while I was there. I still have my notebook around here somewhere. He clubbed line drives to all fields, ran like a deer, and was fantastic in the outfield. He made everyone else look slow. Then he didn't even play for Beloit that season, instead relegated back to Elizabethton where he broke out.

While #5 overall pick Walker Jenkins was in the house at Target Field on Tuesday, the minor league system he is soon to join was in full swing. There was strong pitching, as multiple affiliates nearly had no-hitters, and strong hitting as multiple batters in St. Paul nearly hit for the cycle. Image courtesy of Ethan Chapman (photo of Cory Lewis) TRANSACTIONS Left-handed reliever Caleb Thielbar was sent on a rehab assignment with the St. Paul Saints, and he made an appearance in their game against Toledo. In Cedar Rapids, LHP Zarion Sharpe was released, and LHP Jordan Carr was activated from the injured list. Down in Fort Myers, C Frank Nigro was assigned to the Mighty Mussels from the FCL Twins. SAINTS SENTINEL Toledo 7, St. Paul 14 Box Score Louie Varland took the mound for the Saints, but wasn’t as sharp as we’ve become accustomed to. He finished just 3 2/3 innings, and was charged with six runs (five earned) on nine hits and a walk, striking out four. The most damage came on a three-run homer in the third inning, and his team was down 6-2 upon his exit. Thankfully for the Minnesota native, the rest of his pitching staff and the lineup, picked him up. The Saints cut into that lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, when team MVP Andrew Stevenson launched his 12th home run of the season, a three-run shot to make it 6-5. They took the lead in the bottom of the fifth thanks to an RBI double from Anthony Prato and an RBI single off the bat of Alex De Goti. In relief of Varland, the Saints got a solid outing from Michael Boyle, who allowed just a walk in 1 1/3 innings, striking out two. Caleb Thielbar then made his first appearance of his rehab assignment. He walked one and struck out one in his inning. Cody Laweryson got hit with a blown save by allowing one run on two hits in his lone inning, striking out two. But he also got the win because the lineup took off after that. A six-run bottom of the seventh put this one away, with the big hits coming from a Prato home run, and bases loaded double from Gilberto Celestino, who also homered earlier in the game. Stevenson finished 4-for-5 with four runs scored and three-RBI, only missing a triple in his bid for the cycle. Prato also came a triple shy of the cycle. He went 3-for-5 with a pair of runs scored and three RBI. Celestino scored three runs and drove in three with two hits in five at-bats. As a team, the Saints also drew a club-record 13 walks on the night, which is how you end up with 14 runs total. Jorge Polanco played third base and was 1-for-4 with a run scored and two walks. He had one error. Austin Martin was in center field, but was removed from the game in the fifth inning with an apparent foot injury. WIND SURGE WISDOM Frisco 10, Wichita 4 Box Score Wind Surge starter Chad Donato got knocked around by the RoughRiders in the first inning, and the home team was unable to recover. Donato recorded just two outs, and before the Wind Surge could get anyone warmed up, he had been charged with nine runs (eight earned) on nine hits. Regi Grace and the rest of the bullpen admirably righted the ship after Donato’s exit, but it was too little, too late. Grace pitched 2 1/3 innings. he walked two and struck out three batters. Denny Bentley was charged with Frisco’s only other run, but completed three innings. He allowed four hits and struck out four batters. Curtis Taylor allowed one hit and struck out two in his two innings. Francis Peguero finished it out with a one-two-three ninth, all on K’s. Wichita got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third inning, thanks to David Banuelos’ eighth home run of the season. They added three more in the fourth inning on Yunior Severino’s 19th home run and a two-run triple from Yoyner Fajardo. Brooks Lee was 2-for-4 out of the leadoff spot, and Fajardo also had two knocks and stole his 30th base. KERNELS NUGGETS Cedar Rapids 4, Wisconsin 1 Box Score Pitchers Cory Lewis and Mike Paredes combined to hold the Timber Rattlers to just one hit, and home runs from Andrew Cossetti and Kala’i Rosario were plenty of ammo to back them up on offense. Lewis got the starting nod and continued his string of strong performances to pick up his fourth win. He finished five innings, allowed just one run on one hit and one walk, and notched three strikeouts on just 59 pitches. Paredes finished the final four innings to pick up his first save of the season. He allowed no hits, walked two, and struck out three batters. The Kernels took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second when they loaded the bases with one out, and Kyler Fedko delivered a sacrifice fly. Cossetti led off the fifth with his ninth double, and later scored on another sacrifice fly from Emmanuel Rodriguez to go up 2-1. Rosario led off the eighth with his 14th home run, and Andrew Cossetti led off the ninth with his fifth home run with Cedar Rapids to provide insurance runs. Noah Cardenas (3-for-4, 2B) joined Rosario (2-for-4, R, 2B, HR, RBI, K) and Cossetti (2-for-3, 2 R, 2B, HR, RBI, BB) with multiple hits in the game. MUSSEL MATTERS Palm Beach 3, Fort Myers 1 Box Score The Mighty Mussels were unable to muster much offense at Hammond Stadium on Tuesday. Their lineup collected just three hits. Ben Ethridge made the start and finished 3 2/3 innings. He was charged with two earned runs on five hits and a pair of walks. He had three strikeouts. Danny Moreno recorded the next seven outs and allowed one hit and a walk to get them to the seventh inning. He struck out one batter. Juan Mendez gave up one more run to the Cardinals in the top of the seventh to make it 3-0 Cardinals. He recorded three strikeouts. In the bottom of the seventh, the Mighty Mussels were finally able to mount a threat when Rubel Cespedes drew a leadoff walk and Rafael Cruz was hit by a pitch. With two outs, Alec Sayre put them on the board with an RBI single. However, they also ran into the third out at third base on the play which ended the inning. Zach Veen finished the game for Fort Myers, allowing one hit in two innings. He struck out two batters. Sayre had two of the team's three hits in the game, while Ricardo Olivar notched the other. COMPLEX CHRONICLES FCL Braves 3, FCL Twins 2 (10 innings) Box Score Starter Eduardo Soriano completed the first three innings for the Twins and allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit and two walks. He had two strikeouts. The Twins tied the game in the fourth inning when Dalton Shuffield, Nate Baez, and Yasser Mercedes hit consecutive singles to start the frame and load the bases. A pair of wild pitches resulted in their only runs of the game. Shuffield, on a rehab assignment, finished 3-for-4 with a run scored out of the leadoff spot. Jose Rodriguez added a pair of hits, including a double, in four at-bats. The rest of the team managed just three hits, and they finished just 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position, leaving seven men on base. After Soriano’s exit, the bullpen trio of Pierce Banks (2 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 4 K), Jeferson Lopez (1 IP, 1 BB, 1 K), and Kyle Bischoff (3 IP, 3 K) got them through the ninth with the score still tied. Miguel Olivares was brought on for the start of the 10th inning and got two quick outs before a single drove in the go-ahead run. The Twins then went down in order in the bottom half, to fall to the Braves. DOMINICAN DAILY DSL Twins 2, DSL Mariners 3 (8 innings) Box Score Neither team was able to score a run during the scheduled seven innings, and in fact, the Twins had a no-hitter going into the extra eighth frame. Adrian Bohorquez made the start and went the first two innings. He issued two walks and struck out one batter. Yency De Jesus took over to start the third inning and walked only two over the next five innings. He had five strikeouts. The Twins had some threats and had five hits to the Mariners zero hits through seven innings. However, they ran themselves into outs multiple times which kept them off the scoreboard. With the runner on second to start the extra inning, an error on a pickoff and then an RBI single from Angel Trinidad scored the first run of the game. A single from Jayson Bass later in the frame put a runner on third, and a passed ball led to their second run. Back out to try and finish off their no-hitter, De Jesus ran out of gas. A leadoff walk was followed by the first Mariners hit of the game which loaded the bases. Then they scored their first run on a wild pitch. A sacrifice fly tied the game at two. The Mariners walked it off with their second single of the game, putting a damper on a solid team effort. Trinidad (2-for-2, RBI) and Bass (2-for-4, K) each had multiple hits in the loss to lead the offense. TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY Pitcher of the Day - Cory Lewis, Cedar Rapids Kernels (W, 5 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K) Hitter of the Day - Andrew Stevenson, St. Paul Saints (4-for-5, 4 R, 2B, HR (12), 3 RBI, BB, SB(34)) PROSPECT SUMMARY #1 - Brooks Lee (Wichita) - 2-for-4, K #2 - Walker Jenkins (FCL) #3 - Emmanuel Rodriguez (Cedar Rapids) - 0-for-4, RBI, 3 K #5 - Matt Wallner (Minnesota) - 1-for-4, R, HR (2), 2 RBI, 3 K #8 - Austin Martin (St. Paul) - 1-for-2, R, K (left game in 5th inning due to injury) #10 - Tanner Schobel (Wichita) - 0-for-4, K #11 - Yasser Mercedes (FCL) - 1-for-4, K #16 - Kala’i Rosario (Cedar Rapids) - 2-for-4, R, 2B, HR (14), RBI, K #17 - Yunior Severino (Wichita) - 1-for-3, R, HR (19), RBI, BB, K #20 - Jose Rodriguez (FCL) - 2-for-4, K WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Toledo @ St. Paul (1:07 PM CDT) - LHP Brent Headrick (3-1, 3.76 ERA) Frisco @ Wichita (12:05 PM CDT) - RHP David Festa (2-2, 4.79 ERA) Cedar Rapids @ Wisconsin (12:10 PM CDT) - RHP C.J. Culpepper (2-0, 0.00 ERA) Palm Beach @ Fort Myers (11:00 AM CDT) - RHP Jose Olivares (2-3, 6.14 ERA) DSL Reds @ DSL Twins (makeup of 7/13) - TBD Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Tuesday’s games! View full article

TINSTAAPP!!! 🤣

Having Paul Skenes at #16 was surprising to me, but he is the top rated pitcher I guess.

Behind paywall: https://theathletic.com/4703833/2023/07/21/mlb-top-prospects-2023-minor-leaguers/ Law is pretty high on the Twins top prospects, with three of them in his top 25: 17. Brooks Lee: "Lee’s a high floor guy, as it’s very hard to imagine he’s less than a regular, although I think the only way he’s a true star is if he’s a consistent .300+ hitter and gets toward that power ceiling." 22. Emmanuel Rodriguez: "A centerfielder now, Rodriguez probably moves to right before too long, but the potential for a .400 OBP with 25 homers there would make him at least an above-average regular." 25. Walker Jenkins: "This is, as they say, what they’re supposed to look like, and I could easily see him becoming a .280+ hitter with 25-30 homers and strong OBPs." In our recent top 20 update voting, I rated them Walker Jenkins, Brooks Lee, Emmanuel Rodriguez, but I wouldn't argue with anyone mixing them around. The ceiling for Jenkins was my differentiator. On his offseason list from January, Law had Rodriguez at #48, and Lee at #51.

Yeah, it's probably Ober or Raya as the starting point or the Cardinals don't even want to talk to Falvey. Can guarantee BTV will show as a massive overpay for anyone that were to get Goldy (like 50+ for the 16 they rate Goldy, would be my guess). Also highly doubt he'd waive his no-trade, certainly not for the Twins. He would be the perfect player for them to get, I just don't see how it works from either side.

Holy cow, what's the distance on a "solar homer"?! 😉 I'll disagree somewhat with Seth's assessment. Lee is ready for everything as a hitter from the left side, certainly triple-A. Would like to see a bit more from him on the right-side, but only 19% of his plate appearances have come from there, so it's not like the difference is unexpected. If he's not moved up to triple-A when all the new draftees start getting into game action, I'll have questions.

There can be many reasons, and I very likely could be wrong, but it has been used to give guys a break who are struggling. Get them to their headquarter facility and put in some work away from the pressure. Keoni Cavaco just returned from such a stint.

It's now 4 ER in his last 28 innings after this outing for Dobnak. He's not on the 40-man so have to believe he's still a bit down the pecking order, but a spot start for him or Keuchel isn't out of the question if that need comes up. E-Rod is evening out a bit as the season has progressed. K's are down, walks are elite. Had a good June from a batting average perspective, not the same in July but his OBP is still over .400 for the month. All good signs!

Likely not a long-term thing, so they are just filling the bench in an interim fashion.

While there was only one affiliate that won their game on Tuesday, there were still big performances throughout the system. One pitcher looked like his old self, everybody hit in double-A, a top-prospect went yard for the Kernels, and a rookie league team scored 10+ runs but still almost fell by the mercy rule. Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints (photo of Randy Dobnak) TRANSACTIONS In triple-A, the St. Paul Saints placed SS Elliot Soto on the 7-day injured list with a right-thumb strain. In his place, SS Ernie Yake was promoted from the Wichita Wind Surge. With Yake moving upward in Wichita, the Wind Surge were assigned 2023 Cedar Rapids standout SS Tanner Schobel. The Kernels were involved in multiple moves on Tuesday, including transferring SS Jose Salas to the development list, receiving SS Mikey Perez from Fort Myers, and IF Keoni Cavaco from the FCL Twins. The Mighty Mussels sent OF Alec Sayre on a rehab assignment with the FCL Twins. He batted leadoff with them on Tuesday as the designated hitter. SAINTS SENTINEL St. Paul 0, Omaha 1 Box Score The Saints' Randy Dobnak delivered his best start of the 2023 season, finishing six one-hit innings against the Kansas City Royals' top affiliate. He walked two, struck out five, and recorded six groundouts compared to just two flyouts. If you recall his meteoric rise up the system in 2019, this is precisely the type of game he pitched, game-in and game-out. My fun stat from back in those days before he made his MLB debut was this: And he continued that trend all the way to the MLB playoffs that season. So forgive me if I’m a little giddy about this start from him after what he’s gone through the past few seasons. Unfortunately in this one, his competition was just as good. Storm Chasers' starter Anthony Veneziano went five shutout innings of his own, allowing just two hits and two walks to Saints hitters, while striking out seven. The St. Paul lineup got a single from Kyle Garlick and a walk from Trevor Larnach in the top of the first, and a one-out double from Austin Martin in the second, but only one other walk the rest of the game. Omaha’s pitchers retired the last 17 Saints hitter’s of the game. Dobnak was relieved by Michael Boyle to start the seventh, and he kept the game scoreless with a one-two-three inning. In the eighth the Saints went to righty Josh Winder and he got them to the ninth with the game still 0-0. In the bottom of the ninth, Winder gave up a leadoff double and it looked like the game was over on the next batter, but center fielder Mark Contreras fielded the single and gunned the runner out at home to preserve the tie, at least for a few more batters. He intentionally walked the next hitter to put a double-play in order, then picked up a strikeout for out number two, before another single into center didn’t have the same result as the first one, and the Storm Chasers' walked them off 1-0. Winder took the loss to move his record to 5-2 on the season with the Saints, and he was charged with one earned run on four hits and a walk in his 1 2/3 innings pitched, striking out two. Jorge Polanco was 0-for-4 and struck out three times as the DH, batting second in the second game of his rehab assignment. WIND SURGE WISDOM Wichita 7, Amarillo 10 Box Score While the Wind Surge outhit the Sod Poodles 17-9 in the game, it was the long ball that the home team had the advantage that won out, out slugging them four to two. The ball was flying around and out of the Amarillo ballpark all night, getting no resistance from the dry 105 degree air. Wichita scored first in the top of the first, after Brooks Lee jumped on the first pitch of the game to line a single into center field. DaShawn Keirsey Jr. followed with a single of his own, before Alex Isola brought in Lee with a double down the third base line for a 1-0 lead later in the frame. The second inning started with some loud contact from Aaron Sabato, but his blast to center field hit off the wall for a double before he ran himself into an out at third base in the next at-bat. Carlos Luna made the start for the Wind Surge and that dry air reared its head from the second inning onward. He gave up a two-run homer in the second, a three-run bomb in the third, and a solo shot in the fourth before his outing came to an end. In all, Luna gave up eight earned runs on seven hits and a walk in his four innings, striking out five. Wichita’s offense did its best to keep pace early, as they added three runs in the third to take a 4-2 lead. Will Holland led off with a triple and was driven in by a single from Lee, before Keirsey Jr. clubbed his 12th homer of the season. After falling behind 7-4 after three, they closed the Amarillo lead to one in the fourth on Holland's fourth home run of the season, but from there, they couldn't capitalize on their opportunities. After starting with such promise, they finished just 3-for-18 with runners in scoring position and left ten men on base for the game. Every hitter in the lineup collected at least one hit and six collecting multiple, with Holland leading the way from the nine-spot by going 3-for-3 with a pair of runs scored and two RBI, finishing a double shy of the cycle. Keirsey also had three hits in five at-bats, scoring two runs and driving in two. Yunior Severino had two doubles and a walk in five plate appearances, driving in one. The bullpen duo of Isaac Mattson (2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, BB, K) and Francis Peguero (2 IP, K) finished the game for the Wind Surge. KERNELS NUGGETS Peoria 4, Cedar Rapids 1 Box Score The Kernels got a quality effort from left-hander Jaylen Nowlin in this one, but his offense could not back him up. He finished six innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits and zero walks while striking out seven. The only knock on Nowlin's outing was the bat of the Chief's number nine hitter, Darlin Moquete, who clubbed two solo home runs against him. In the sixth inning, Cedar Rapids cut the two-run lead in half thanks to Emmanuel Rodriguez's 11th home run, but that was all the lineup could muster. Noah Miller added his ninth double of the season to the effort, but as a team, the Kernels collected just three other hits, went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position, and left six men on base for the game. After Nowlin was done, Malik Barrington (2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 K) and Matthew Swain (1 IP) finished the game for the pitching staff. MUSSEL MATTERS Fort Myers 2, Bradenton 5 Box Score Right-hander Jack Noble made the start for the Mighty Mussels, and he was solid for his five innings. He allowed just one earned run on three hits and three walks while punching out four Marauders hitters. The lone run he gave up came on a solo home run on his first pitch of the game, so he recovered well after that. His lineup tied the game at one in the top of the fourth inning when the first three hitters singled, with Carlos Aguiar driving in Carson McCusker from second base. The first reliever summoned for Fort Myers was Wilker Reyes to start the sixth inning, and he proceeded to give up a two-run homer and the lead back to Bradenton 3-1. He gave up another run in the seventh but finished two innings, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out three. In the eighth inning, the Mighty Mussels could put another run on the board after Ricardo Olivar clubbed a one-out double and was driven in by a triple from Danny De Andrade to make the score 4-2. Zach Veen pitched the eighth inning to finish the game for Fort Myers and allowed an unearned run on one hit and one walk. Rebel Cespedes had two hits on the game to pace the offense. Gregory Duran reached base twice with a single and a walk in four plate appearances. COMPLEX CHRONICLES FCL Rays 2, FCL Twins 4 Box Score The Twins got on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the third inning when an RBI triple from Yasser Mercedes followed an Isaac Pena single. Jose Rodriguez then drove in Mercedes with a sac fly to make it 2-0. Daniel Pena put them ahead 4-0 in the sixth, following a Rodriguez walk and Harold Grant double with a two-RBI single. That was all the Twins needed, as their pitching staff was sharp throughout this one. Zarion Sharpe went the first 1 2/3 innings, allowing one hit and walking one. Kyle Bischoff went the next 1 1/3, walking one and striking out two before Eduardo Soriano did the heavy lifting. He finished the next 4 2/3 innings, allowing the Rays two runs (none earned) on five hits and one walk while striking out three. Yon Landaeta picked up his second save with 1 1/3 scoreless frames to close it out. He walked three and struck out four. The Penas -- Isaac and Daniel -- each had two hits in the game to lead the way. DOMINICAN DAILY DSL Twins 11, DSL Giants Orange 20 Box Score Unlike their top-of-the-system brothers on Tuesday, the bottom of the system couldn't stop runs from causing the plate all game, as the teams combined for 31 runs on 24 hits and 16 walks, going 11-for-23 with runners in scoring position between them. That said, the Giants Orange squad got the better of the Twins, slugging four home runs compared to their two. The Twins lineup was led by Moises Lopez, who finished 4-for-5 with a double, home run, three runs scored, and four RBI. Ariel Castro (2-for-4, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB), Ricardo Pena (2-for-3, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB), and Carlos Silva (2-for-5, 3 RBI) had multiple hits in the game. The Twins' pitching staff got knocked around all game, with only two innings with no runs scored by the Giants and just two of their six pitchers not being charged with one, though both those pitchers (Gerardo Abrego and Jose Betancourt) each pitched less than an inning. Starter Yency De Jesus did go 4 1/3 innings, allowing seven runs (four earned) on five hits and one walk while striking out five. His bugaboo was the long ball, as he surrendered three of the Giants' four home runs. Jose Vasquez had the most trouble, allowing seven earned runs on six hits and two walks while recording just one out. The DSL Twins will throw this one in the garbage and return on Thursday with fresh minds after a day off. TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY Pitcher of the Day - Randy Dobnak, St. Paul Saints (6 IP, H, 2 BB, 5 K) Hitter(s) of the Day - Will Holland, Wichita Wind Surge (3-for-3, 2 R, 3B, HR, 2 RBI, BB) Moises Lopez, DSL Twins (4-for-5, 3 R, 2B, HR, 4 RBI) PROSPECT SUMMARY #1 - Brooks Lee (Wichita) - 2-for-4, 2 R, RBI, BB #3 - Emmanuel Rodriguez (Cedar Rapids) - 1-for-3, HR (11), RBI, BB, K #4 - Edouard Julien (Minnesota) - game in progress. #9 - Matt Wallner (Minnesota) - game in progress. #10 - Yasser Mercedes (FCL) - 1-for-4, R, 3B, RBI, K #11 - Austin Martin (St. Paul) - 1-for-3, 2B #13 - Noah Miller (Cedar Rapids) - 1-for-4 #18 - Jose Rodriguez (FCL) - 0-for-2, R, RBI, BB, K #19 - Yunior Severino (Wichita) - 2-for-4, 2 2B, RBI, BB, K WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS St. Paul @ Omaha (7:05 PM CDT) - RHP Louie Varland (3-0, 5.17 ERA) Wichita @ Amarillo (7:05 PM CDT) - RHP Chad Donato (1-5, 9.38 ERA) Peoria @ Cedar Rapids (12:05 PM CDT) - RHP Cory Lewis (3-0, 1.52 ERA) Fort Myers @ Bradenton (11:00 AM CDT) - RHP Miguelangel Boadas (0-2, 6.91 ERA) Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Tuesday’s games! 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With the Major League All-Star Break in full swing, all full season affiliates have off until Friday, when they’ll resume their second-halves with a weekend three-game series. Until then, the Dominican Summer League is still in action, so you’ll at least get two games worth of recaps in this report. There was some unfortunate prospect news out of Cedar Rapids yesterday as well. TRANSACTIONS The Cedar Rapids Kernels announced a pair of roster moves yesterday. RHP Gianluca Dalatri was transferred from the 7-day to 60-day injured list, and... LHP Connor Prielipp was transferred from the 7-day to Full Season injured list, effectively ending his 2023 campaign and first comeback attempt after Tommy John surgery while at Alabama. Prielipp started one game for the Cedar Rapids Kernels on April 8th, pitching four innings and allowing three earned runs on five hits and a pair of walks, while striking out three. He was then shut down until a rehab appearance on June 9th with the FCL Twins. He threw 2 2/3 innings there, giving up two earned on three hits and two walks, along with three strikeouts before being shut down again. A disappointing result for the 22-year-old pitcher in his first full season. The Full Season Injured List is used for players who have had surgery or are about to have surgery. Prielipp will have surgery in the next week or two. DOMINICAN DAILY (Monday) DSL Phillies Red 4, DSL Twins 5 (7 innings) Box Score Twins starter Jose Vasquez gave up single runs in each of the first two innings, putting his team down 2-0 early, but the offense picked him up in the bottom of the second. That is when Ricardo Pena hit his first home run of the season, and the first of this game for the team, making it 2-1 before Moises Lopez and Ewing Matos scored on a single from Jesus Peraza later in the frame to put them out front. Vasquez finished three innings on the mound, allowing two earned runs on four hits and a walk, striking out one before giving way to Yency De Jesus for the final four innings. De Jesus allowed two runs (one earned) of his own on three hits and a walk, while striking out five Phillies. He picked up the win. The Twins lineup added solo home runs in the fourth and sixth innings to secure the victory. In the fourth it was Lopez’s second home run of the season to give them a 4-2 lead, and in the sixth Javier Roman’s first put them ahead for good 5-4. Pena (2-for-2, R, HR, RBI) and Peraza (2-for-2, 2 RBI) each collected multiple hits to lead the way. DOMINICAN DAILY (Tuesday) DSL Twins 1, DSL Cardinals 8 Box Score The game this morning was much tougher sledding for the Twins, as they were held to one run on seven hits against the Cardinals, finishing 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Their lone run came in the seventh inning, when they loaded the bases with nobody out thanks to a Javier Roman walk, a double from Ewing Matos, and Jesus Peraza being hit by a pitch. Unfortunately, it was a double-play ball that scored the run, so no RBI was awarded and the next batter struck out to end any further threat. Dameury Pena had a solid game however, finishing 3-for-4 to raise his average over .400 on the season in 22 games. Matos’s double was the Twins only extra-base-hit in the game. On the pitching side, Eduardo Soriano made the start and pitched the first two innings. He was ambushed for five runs (four earned) on five hits and a walk, striking out three. He gave up a grand slam in the second inning that put the Cardinals out front for good 5-1. The bullpen trio of Oscar Paredes (2 2/3 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, BB, 4 K), Jose Betancourt (1 1/3 IP, 0 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K), and Gerardo Abrego (2 IP, H, 2 K) finished off the game for the Twins. TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY Pitcher of the Day - Yency De Jesus, DSL Twins (4 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K) Hitter of the Day - Jesus Peraza, DSL Twins (2 games: 3-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, K) PROSPECT SUMMARY #8 - David Festa (Wichita) - Festa pitched the fifth inning of the Future's Game during All-Star activities in Seattle. He allowed one hit and struck out uber-prospect Jackson Chourio of the Milwaukee Brewers for a scoreless inning. Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Monday and Tuesday’s DSL games! View full article

Jenkins #1 for me, for sure. Soto probably in the 10-15 range out of the gate.