Steve Lein

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

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

With the full-season affiliates enjoying a day off as their schedules roll over, the rookie league rosters of the Twins took center stage on Tuesday, including the continued rehab assignment of a former top prospect. Unfortunately, the rookies from the Pittsburgh Pirates organization had their number. TRANSACTIONS The FCL Twins sent a couple pitchers from the back fields of the Lee County Sports Complex to Hammond Stadium and the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels on Tuesday. They were RHP Jack Noble and RHP Ricardo Velez. Recent minor-league free agent signing, OF Francis Florentino, was also assigned to the Mighty Mussels roster. COMPLEX CHRONICLES FCL Pirates 10, FCL Twins 6 Box Score The Pirates built a 4-0 lead through the top of the sixth inning against Twins pitchers Jacob Wosinski and Pierce Banks. Wosinski got the start and went the first 4 1/3 innings, being charged with two earned runs on three hits and a pair of walks, while striking out six. Banks entered the game with a pair of runners on base in the fifth, and a wild pitch would lead to one of Wosinski’s runs, before Banks gave up a pair of his own in the top of the sixth. Banks finished 1 2/3 innings, allowing three hits of his own and striking out one. In the bottom of the sixth the Twins finally got on the board, closing the Pirates lead to two runs. The rehabbing Austin Martin led off the inning with a single, reached second on a wild pitch, then stole third base before a pair of walks to Jose Rodriguez and Harold Grant loaded the bases. Another walk from Andres Centeno scored their first run, and a sac fly from Bryan Acuna scored their second. Carlos Gutierrez entered the game to start the seventh inning, and got knocked around by the Pirates lineup. In all, he would be charged with six earned runs on seven hits and one walk in his 1 2/3 innings, striking out two. Yon Landaeta would finish out the game for the Twins, walking the bases loaded in the ninth, but not allowing a run in his inning and a third. He struck out two. The Twins lineup made it 10-6 with a four-run eighth inning, but it wasn’t nearly enough to keep them in it. Grant and Centeno singled in front of Acuna who launched a three-run home run, his first as a professional, before Fredy Michel followed a few batters later with a solo shot, his first of the season. Martin played second base and batted second, finishing 1-for-3 with a run scored, walk, and stolen base. Grant (2-for-4, R, BB, K) and Centeno (2-for-3, R, RBI, BB, K) each had two hits. Rodriguez finished 1-for-4 with a run scored and a walk, batting third. Acuna led the way with four RBI. DOMINICAN DAILY DSL Twins 0, DSL Pirates Gold 1 (7 innings) Box Score The two teams combined for just nine hits in the game, but the Pirates squad got the big one in the form of a solo home run in the first inning, and the pitchers took it from there. Twins starter Jeicol Surumuy was responsible for that home run, and allowed a total of three hits in his 1 2/3 innings. He walked none and struck out one. With a couple of runners on base in the second inning, he was replaced by Adrian Bohorquez who went on to finish the game. He held the Pirates scoreless for the final 4 1/3 innings, allowing just one hit, walking two, and striking out six. The Twins got doubles off the bats of shortstop Yilber Herrera and designated hitter Carlos Silva, but weren’t able to push them over to third base. Their lone hit with a runner in scoring position came in the third inning, after Herrera drew a walk and stole second base. Jayson Bass’s infield single didn’t get him past third base, then Bass was thrown out attempting to steal second base to end that threat. Herrera (1-for-2, 2B, BB, K, SB) and Denyerbe Gervis (1-for-2, BB) each reached base twice in three at-bats to lead the way for the offense. TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY Pitcher of the Day - Adrian Bohorquez, DSL Twins (4 1/3 IP, H, 2 BB, 6 K) Hitter of the Day - Bryan Acuna, FCL Twins (1-for-3, R, HR, SF, 4 RBI) PROSPECT SUMMARY #2 - Royce Lewis (Minnesota) - Night game. Batting sixth and playing 3B. #4 - Edouard Julien (Minnesota) - Night game. Batting leadoff at 2B. #11 - Austin Martin (Rehab-FCL) - 1-for-3, R, BB, K, SB #18 - Jose Rodriguez (FCL) - 1-for-4, R, BB, K WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS Gwinnett @ St. Paul (1:07 PM CDT) - RHP Louie Varland (2-0, 5.49 ERA) NW Arkansas @ Wichita (7:05 PM CDT) - TBD Cedar Rapids @ Peoria (6:35 PM CDT) - RHP Zebby Matthews (1-1, 6.61 ERA) Lakeland @ Fort Myers (6:00 PM CDT) - RHP Andrew Morris (2-1, 3.48 ERA) Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Tuesday’s games! View full article

If the Twins need a catcher with Wolters out, I'm sure it would be Jair Camargo coming up, but you never know. Camargo has had tremendous exit velocities this year (on par with Wallner), but strikeouts an issue (he'll fit right in!). I like the look of Grace a lot in the bullpen this year, but he will need to continue improving his command. His walk rate has spiked significantly in double-A so far, but nobody is hitting him to make those walks hurt.

Keirsey has a good case to be in triple-A...If every outfielder there also wasn't having a pretty good season. And Sabato has been really good, minus the home runs, since coming off the IL. Nice to see for sure.

A power hitting prospect in Triple-A continued his home run binge while the lineups of Cedar Rapids and Wichita both led their teams to huge wins. An early-season standout pitcher also continued to dominate opposing hitters with his unusual repertoire. Image courtesy of Ethan Chapman (photo of Cory Lewis) TRANSACTIONS RHP Oliver Ortega had his contract selected by the Minnesota Twins, and pitched against the Red Sox. In a corresponding move, Louie Varland was optioned to St. Paul. The Twins signed veteran catcher Mark Kolozsvary to a minor-league deal and assigned him to the Saints. He takes the roster spot of catcher Tony Wolters, who was placed on the injured list with a right MCL sprain. SS Alex De Goti was also activated from the Development List. The Minnesota Twins released Wind Surge RHP Osiris German to make room for RHP Owen Griffith, who was promoted from the Cedar Rapids Kernels after completing his rehab stint. The Surge also transferred outfielder Armani Smith to the Development List, and received infielder Ernie Yake from the Kernels. In the Midwest League, the Kernels transferred first baseman Keoni Cavaco to the Development List, and received second baseman Jorel Ortega from Fort Myers. At the Spring Training complex and Hammond Stadium, the Mighty Mussels added OF Andres Centeno and placed RHP Juan Mendez on the injured list with a right forearm strain. SAINTS SENTINEL St. Paul 6, Toledo 2 Box Score Another Tuesday, and another home run for Chris Williams. His 14th of the season came in his first at-bat as the reigning International League Player of the Week in the second inning. Jair Camargo followed with a solo shot of his own for back-to-back bombs that made it 2-0 Saints early. Simeon Woods Richardson was on the bump for St. Paul looking to course-correct his season. He pitched into the fifth inning but ran up his pitch count so he was only able to complete 4 2/3 innings. It was much better than his last time out (6 ER in 3 1/3), however, as he allowed just one earned run on three hits and a pair of walks, while picking up four strikeouts. Josh Winder came out of the bullpen to relieve him, and besides giving up a solo home run, kept the Saints out front. He gave up two hits, one walk, and struck out four in his two innings. St. Paul’s wrecking crew added a pair of runs in the fourth inning to extend their lead to 4-1 when Winder took the mound. Anthony Prato had an RBI single and a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt allowed Camargo to scamper home. Left-hander Kody Funderburk got a strikeout for the final out of the seventh inning, but he did not come out for the eighth after allowing a hit and a walk. Patrick Murphy closed out the final two innings for the save, allowing two hits, striking out four, and consistently hitting 98 MPH with his fastball. Jose Miranda tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the top of the ninth with a two-run single, and finished the game 2-for-5. Andrew Stevenson (2-for-5, R, 2B, K), Miranda, and Williams (2-for-3, 2 R, HR, RBI, BB) had multiple hits. Camargo and Williams each scored two runs. Matt Wallner and Trevor Larnach were each 0-for-4 with a walk. WIND SURGE WISDOM Arkansas 4, Wichita 12 Box Score The Wind Surge took an early lead with a big inning, and piled on another one late to blow out the Travelers at Riverfront Stadium. A bases-clearing double from Alerick Soularie and two-run sac fly from Brooks Lee in the second gave Wichita an early 5-0 lead. If you had to read that sentence again, I don’t blame you. Because yes, Lee drove in two with his flyout as DaShawn Keirsey Jr. made the savvy and speedy play to score from second. Soularie and Aaron Sabato added solo home runs in the fourth and fifth innings respectively, with Sabato’s blast extending his on-base streak to 15 games. Wichita starter Aaron Rozek pitched into the fifth inning, but wasn’t able to complete it as a solo home run, double, single, and sac fly put an end to his outing. In all he was charged with two runs on three hits and a walk in 4 2/3 innings, striking out six. Relievers Alex Phillips (1 1/3 IP, H, ER, 2 BB) and Taylor Floyd (1 2/3 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, K) pitched the next three innings, giving way to Regi Grace with two outs in the eighth. Grace closed it out, allowing one hit, one walk, a hit-batter, and striking out two. The lineup poured it on again in the seventh thanks to a two-run double off the bat of Jake Rucker that was followed by a Keirsey Jr. three-run home run, his ninth of the season, later in the inning to make it the final of 12-4. Pat Winkel (2-for-5, 2B, K), Rucker (2-for-3, R, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, K), Yoyner Fajardo (2-for-4, R, 2 K), and Soularie (2-for-3, 3 R, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, BB) all had multiple hits. In addition to the home run, Sabato drew three walks and scored three runs. In the 15 games of his on-base streak, Sabato has drawn 18 total walks (.454 OBP) along with 13 runs scored, seven doubles, and two home runs. KERNELS NUGGETS Beloit 3, Cedar Rapids 11 Box Score “Pitcher who also throws a knuckleball”-Cory Lewis took to the hill for the Kernels, and continued to shove, holding the former Minnesota Twins affiliate to just one unearned run on three hits and a walk in his five innings. He struck out three, picked up his third win, and lowered his ERA to 0.60 in three High-A starts. While the final score ended up being a blowout, when Lewis exited it was just 3-1 Cedar Rapids. The lineup scored those runs on a two-run double from Kala’i Rosario in the third, and an RBI groundout from Jose Salas in the fourth. Matthew Swain was the first reliever summoned for the sixth inning, and the Snappers got him for one earned run on a pair of hits in his lone inning. He struck out one. Alejandro Hidalgo came on for the seventh and went the next 2 1/3 innings, allowing just one run of his own despite five walks. He also gave up one hit and struck out three. Niklas Rimmel got the final two outs and allowed one hit. The Kernels blew this one open in the bottom of the seventh, batting around and plating six runs. The big hits were a two-run double from Ben Ross, and consecutive RBI doubles from Noah Miller and Salas. In the eighth, Emmanuel Rodriguez added on two more with his eighth home run of the season. Leading the way with multiple hits in the game were Tanner Schobel (2-for-3, 3 R, 3B, 2 BB, SB), Rodriguez (2-for-4, 3 R, HR, 2 RBI, BB, K), and Miller (2-for-4, R, 2B, RBI). Making his High-A debut, Jorel Ortega was 1-for-4 with a run scored. MUSSEL MATTERS Fort Myers 6, Tampa 8 Box Score Toeing the rubber for the Mighty Mussels was Miguelangel Boadas, and he was solid for the first four innings. In the fifth, he ran into some trouble after an error and was lifted with just one out. In all, he finished 4 1/3 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks, while striking out two. Fort Myers got on the scoreboard first in the second inning, when Mikey Perez hit his third home run of the season, a solo shot to left field. Rubel Cespedes made it 2-0 Mighty Mussels in the third with an RBI double. Zach Veen came on in relief of Boadas in the fifth, and got the next four outs. He was charged with one earned run on two hits and two walks in his 1 1/3 innings. He struck out one. In the top of the sixth Fort Myers took a 4-2 lead thanks to a two-run single from Kyle Schmidt, but then the bullpen continued to have some trouble. Johnathan Lavallee got the final out of the sixth, but the Tarpons jumped on him in the seventh. Before it was over they had taken a 6-4 lead, with Lavallee getting hit with the blown save and three earned runs allowed on four hits and two walks, striking out one. The Mighty Mussels offense again battled back, tying it at six in the eighth thanks to another two-run single from Schmidt, but the Tarpons were determined to get off their hook. Wilker Reyes delivered a one-two-three eighth inning and got two quick outs in the ninth, but a walk led to a two-run homer to walk it off in Tampa. Schmidt (3-for-4, 4 RBI, K, SB), Cespedes (2-for-5, R, 2 2B, RBI), and Perez (2-for-4, 2 R, HR, RBI, K) collected multiple hits in the loss. COMPLEX CHRONICLES FCL Orioles 1, FCL Twins 6 Box Score The Twins scored one run in each of the first four innings, and the pitching staff held the Orioles in check for the entire game to pick up the win. Cesar Lares started on the mound and completed the first three innings. He allowed just one hit and struck out five. Ricardo Velez was credited with the win after a scoreless fourth inning, where he struck out two. Juan Mercedes (2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 5 K), Carlos Gutierrez (IP, 2 H, BB, K), and Jacob Wosinski (2 IP, H, 2 BB, K) finished out the dominating pitching performance, as the staff struck out 14 Orioles in total. The Twins drew eight walks as a team, but had some trouble bringing the runners in as they had just one extra base hit, a double from Frank Nigro, and were 3-for-16 with runners in scoring position. Isaac Pena was 1-for-4 with a run scored, RBI, walk, and stole two bases out of the leadoff spot. Harold Grant and Anderson Nova collected the teams other two RBI’s. DOMINICAN DAILY DSL Phillies Red 7, DSL Twins 2 Box Score The Phillies Red squad utilized a four-run third inning, to put the Twins away early. Right-hander Adrian Bohorquez made the start for the Twins and was on the receiving end of that scoring. In his 2 1/3 innings pitched, he was charged with five earned runs on four hits and four walks. He also struck out four. The bullpen trio of Leonardo Lugo (3 2/3 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 4 K), Jeicol Surumuy (2 IP, H, R, 3 K), and Jose Betancourt (IP, 2 BB) finished out the game for the home team. As an offense, the Twins managed just three singles in the loss but did collect seven walks. Jayson Bass was 1-for-3 with an RBI, walk, and his fourth stolen base. Ewing Matos was 1-for-4 with a run scored. Ariel Castro (0-for-2, R, 2 BB) and Dameury Pena (0-for-2, 2 BB) each drew a pair of walks from the top two spots in the lineup. TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY Pitcher of the Day - Cory Lewis, Cedar Rapids Kernels (W, 5 IP, 3 H, R, BB, 3 K) Hitter of the Day - Alerick Soularie, Wichita Wind Surge (2-for-3, BB, 2B, HR, 3 R, 4 RBI) PROSPECT SUMMARY #1 - Brooks Lee (Wichita) - 0-for-4, SF, 2 RBI #2 - Royce Lewis (Minnesota) - 3-for-4, R, HR, RBI #3 - Emmanuel Rodriguez (Cedar Rapids) - 2-for-4, 3 R, HR, 2 RBI, BB, K #4 - Edouard Julien (Minnesota) - 1-for-5, R, K #9 - Matt Wallner (St. Paul) - 0-for-4, BB, K #12 - Jose Salas (Cedar Rapids) - 1-for-4, 2 RBI, K #13 - Noah Miller (Cedar Rapids) - 2-for-4, R, 2B, RBI #15 - Brent Headrick (Minnesota) - 1 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, BB #18 - Jose Rodriguez (FCL) - 0-for-5, R, 2 K #19 - Yunior Severino (Wichita) - 1-for-5, 2 K WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS St. Paul @ Louisville (11:05 AM CDT) - RHP Randy Dobnak (3-3, 5.51 ERA) Wichita @ Midland (7:05 PM CDT) - RHP Pierson Ohl (0-1, 7.59 ERA) Beloit @ Cedar Rapids (12:05 PM CDT) - LHP Christian MacLeod (1-0, 3.86 ERA) Fort Myers @ Tampa (5:30 PM CDT) - RHP Andrew Morris (1-1, 4.15 ERA) Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Tuesday’s games! 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Lee is comfortably leading the Texas League in doubles, and is tied for second in all of the minors. Agree with this completely, and have said elsewhere I'd expect a lot more Mauer than Morneau for him when it comes to power.

Camargo is definitely more catcher than Williams. Good arm. Williams isn't really a catcher anymore, maybe could be an emergency option. Brooks Lee leads the Texas League in doubles with 21 (next is 17), and is tied for third in all of the minors. Some of those will start turning into homers as he ages, but I expect a lot more Mauer than Morneau in that sense for his career.

Olivar was activated and in the lineup on Tuesday. 1-for-3 with a pair of walks and RBI.

This is a huge part of it for me, especially Buxton not playing the field. Him having to occupy the DH spot has sent this ripple throughout every other position except SS and C. And what sucks is I get trying to protect Buxton, but has that cost been worth it? The Twins are middle of the pack in the AL in OPS, but really, they're in tier 3 of 4, below average overall. Lucky for them, every other member of the Central is below them and for the most part, bad teams overall, so this OPS number is even inflated some.

What's fun about this comment, is Wallner doesn't have the HR's to show for it like Williams, but in both games he's hit 2 balls harder than any of Williams' bombs were hit. They're both locked in. Wallner hit the hardest ball in triple-A yesterday at 113.0 MPH (single), and Camargo has the 2nd hardest so far today at 113.4 MPH (double). They both have had impressive exit velocity numbers all year.

Yup, the thing about this discussion, is the Twins have a bunch of near-MLB ready prospect talent to use as ammo in trades. There are always teams that prefer that type of player back.