Tom Froemming

Twins System Recap: Tonight's minor league action included a couple of nice pitching performances from under-the-radar arms and a big game from a once highly-touted bat. Mike Paredes is in his sixth year in the org, and he's done nothing but deliver quality innings. He struck out seven batters over four innings in a spot start for Wichita. Eli Jones, 2024 seventh-round pick, backed up an impressive first outing of 2026 with five frames of one-run ball. Eduardo Beltre, who was a big signing in the 2024 international class, hit a homer and drove in three runs in a Fort Myers extra-inning victory. View full video

Well laid out. Brian Dinkelman is doing a lot of juggling in his first taste of being a Triple-A manager. Gotta get the top prospects plenty of reps, though you still need to keep the MLB depth guys from getting rusty. At the same time, you need to make sure the clubhouse vibes are good and everybody understands what to expect. That's always the case at this level, but it's not often prospects at the level of Jenkins/KC/E-Rod/Gabby are all in Triple-A at the same time.

Twins System Recap: The Saints lost both ends of their doubleheader today, but Alan Roden did just about everything he could have short of pitching the top of the 10th inning. Roden extended the game when the Saints were down to their final out on two different occasions. Kaelen Culpepper also had a good day for St. Paul, belting a home run in each game. One of his dingers came off Red Sox No. 1 prospect Payton Tolle. Marek Houston stayed hot for Cedar Rapids, hitting his first homer of the year. View full video

TRANSACTIONS RHP Zak Kent was optioned to St. Paul and the Twins recalled RHP Garrett Acton, who was recently acquired from the Marlins. SAINTS SENTINEL Game 1: Worcester 4, St. Paul 2 (7 innings) Box Score Starting pitcher: Andrew Morris (3 2/3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K, 70 pitches) Home runs: Kaelen Culpepper (2) Multi-hit games: N/A Sunday’s doubleheader got off to a great start for the Saints. Kealen Culpepper hit a leadoff home run off Red Sox No. 1 prospect Payton Tolle and Orlando Arcia put St. Paul up 2-0 in the second inning with a little league homer — a triple plus a throwing error that allowed him to come all the way around to score. The Saints recorded just two more hits from there, but the pitching staff managed to keep the Sox off the board through six innings (of this seven-inning game). Andrew Morris delivered 3 2/3 innings of two-hit ball and was followed by John Brebbia, who pitched a pair of scoreless frames. Veteran Dan Altavilla came in for the save and everything went sideways. He could not find the zone, issuing three walks while throwing less than half of his pitches for strikes. Altavilla blew the save and Worcester ended up scoring four runs in the inning. The Saints went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the seventh to end the first game of this doubleheader. Highlight: Culpepper's homer off Tolle. Game 2: Worcester 11, St. Paul 9 (11 innings) Box Score Starting pitcher: John Klein (1 2/3 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 3 BB, 1 K, 55 pitches) Home runs: Orlando Arcia (2), Emmanuel Rodriguez (2), Kaelen Culpepper (3), Alan Roden (1) Multi-hit games: Roden (2-for-4, HR), Gabriel Gonzalez (2-for-4, 2B), Arcia (2-for-4, HR) Things continued to go south to start the second game. The Saints found themselves down 8-1 heading into the bottom of the third inning, mostly due to former Saints great Mickey Gasper. Super Mickey his a solo homer in the first inning, then a grand slam in the second. The Saints kept at it. They chipped away a pair of runs in the fourth inning and three more in the fifth to bring the score to 8-6. Then Orlando Arcia hit an RBI single in the sixth to bring the Saints within a run. The St. Paul bullpen continued to hold and buy the lineup time to get back in it. In the bottom of the seventh (and scheduled to be final) inning, Worcester retired the first two Saints batters. Alan Roden was St. Paul’s last chance. He made sure there was more baseball to be played. A lot more. Roden blasted a 2-1 changeup for a home run he sent 427 feet with an exit velocity of 106.6 mph to tie the game. Neither team was able to score their “bonus” runner who started the eighth inning at second base. The Saints bullpen could only hold on for so long. They finally gave way in the ninth inning, with the Sox scoring the go-ahead run. In the bottom of the ninth, the Saints were down to their final out once again. And once again it was Roden to the rescue. He hit the first pitch he saw back through the middle to tie the game once again. The Saints showed impressive resolve in this game, battling back from an early seven-run deficit, but Worcester still prevailed. The Sox scored two more runs in the top of the 10th inning to finally finish off St. Paul. One last item to add on Roden's heroic effort: He also made an excellent diving catch in left field to end the top of the seventh inning. Highlight: Roden's game-tying home run in the bottom of the seventh inning. KERNELS CHRONICLE Cedar Rapids 14, Peoria 8 Box Score Starting pitcher: Nolan Santos (3 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 61 pitches) Home runs: Marek Houston (1), Brandon Winokur (1), Caden Kendle (1), Andy Lugo (1) Multi-hit games: Houston (3-for-5, HR), Khadim Diaw (2-for-5), Winokur (2-for-5, 2B, HR), Jacob McCombs (2-for-3, 2 2Bs), Kendle (2-for-4, 2B, HR) The Kernels carried a 6-4 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning and absolutely blew this game open from there. Cedar Rapids tallied seven runs that inning, six of which were scored with two outs. Andy Lugo provided the knockout blow, a grand slam. Also in that inning, Eduardo Tait was hit by a pitch either on his hand or wrist. Tait waved off the trainer, stayed in the game and eventually came around to score. Tait’s spot in the order came back up in the sixth but he was pinch hit for. Cedar Rapids broadcaster Calvin Christoforo noted that Tait was not receiving any medical attention in the dugout. With the Kernels already up 13-4, it appears that Tait’s exit was precautionary. Lugo’s grand slam was the headliner, but Marek Houston, Brandon Winokur and Caden Kendle also homered. Cedar Rapids scored 22 runs over their first weekend of 2026. TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY Pitcher of the Day: Andrew Morris, St. Paul Hitter of the Day: Alan Roden, St. Paul PROSPECT SUMMARY Check out the Prospect Tracker for more. 1. Walker Jenkins (St. Paul): 0-for-3, K 2. Kaelen Culpepper (St. Paul): 1-for-3, HR (2), R, RBI | 1-for-4, HR (3), R, 3 RBI, BB, K 3. Emmanuel Rodriguez (St. Paul): 1-for-4, HR (2), R, 2 RBI, BB 4. Eduardo Tait (Cedar Rapids): 0-for-2, BB, R, K, HBP 7. Gabriel Gonzalez (St. Paul): 1-for-3, K | 2-for-4, R, K 9. Marek Houston (Cedar Rapids): 3-for-5, HR (1), 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, K 12. Andrew Morris (St. Paul): 3 2/3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K, 70 pitches 13. Brandon Winokur (Cedar Rapids): 2-for-5, HR (1), R, RBI, K, 2 errors 15. Marco Raya (St. Paul): 2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K 19: Khadim Diaw (Cedar Rapids): 2-for-5, 2 R, RBI CURRENT W-L Records Minnesota Twins: 3-6 St. Paul Saints: 3-5 Wichita Wind Surge: 1-2 Cedar Rapids Kernels: 2-1 Fort Myers Mighty Mussels: 1-2 TOMORROW’S PROBABLE STARTERS N/A (Monday is a travel day across the minor leagues) View full article

Twins System Recap: Marek Houston and Brandon Winokur fueled the Cedar Rapids Kernels to victory Saturday. Unfortunately, they were the only team to win across the system. Houston reached safely four times and had a double and a triple. Winokur had three hits, stole two bases, and opened the game with a diving catch in center field to record the first out. Here's more info on those two performances and an overview of all of the night's action. View full video

Twins System Recap: James Ellwanger made his official pro debut today, but it was another 2025 draftee who stole the show in Fort Myers. Reed Moring, the 15th-round pick of that class, had an incredible pro debut. Hear all about his performance in addition to the other stars of the day, plus more Twins prospect talk. View full video

Twins System Recap: It was supposed to be a busier day across the system, but the weather postponed both the Saints and Mussels. That left the Wind Surge as the only team on the schedule, but they had plenty of action to go around in their opener. Wichita won 10-6, thanks in part to Kyle DeBarge and his new batting stance. View full video

Twins System Recap: The St. Paul Saints woke up from the nightmare game they played yesterday, but didn't snap back sharply enough to win today. Emmanuel Rodriguez provided all the offense with a grand slam he tattooed. Marco Raya got another save chance but blew it. View full video

Twins System Recap: The St. Paul Saints gave up 19 runs and walked 20 batters. Tonight. In one game. Tanner Schobel pitched two innings. He's not a pitcher. That was the worst baseball game I've ever seen. View full video

wins System Recap: The St. Paul Saints are still undefeated in 2026! The Saints won 4-1 on Sunday behind strong performances from John Klein, Walker Jenkins, and Ryan Kreidler. View full video

It was Opening Day for the St. Paul Saints and Kaelen Culpepper's Triple-A debut. He made a great first impression, going 3-for-5 to help lift the Saints to a 4-2 victory. Connor Prielipp had an encouraging first start of the season, especially after navigating a rocky first inning. Alan Roden reached base in all five of his plate appearances. View full video

The Twins lost on Opening Day 2-1 in Baltimore. More importantly, the 2026 Sire of Fort Myers has (finally) been announced. Here's some discussion on the controversy surrounding this year's Sire of Fort Myers plus an overview and reactions from the Twins game. View full video

The Twins Opening Day roster became a bit more clear in recent days. Zebby Matthews was optioned, meaning Mick Abel appears to have a rotation spot. Alan Roden was also optioned, giving clarity to the Twins outfield situation but also creating a crowded picture in St. Paul. Top outfield prospects Walker Jenkins, Emmanuel Rodriguez, and Gabriel Gonzalez are all going to be with the Saints, in addition to multiple other guys. Also, the Twins' bullpen is still very much unsettled. View full video