Twins Minor League Report (5/26): Stars Shine in St. Paul, Schmidt Goes Off in Florida

[Ted Schwerzler]

The St. Paul Saints have three of the best hitting prospects for Minnesota at the top of their lineup and each looked the part tonight. Down in Florida, Kyle Schmidt flexed his muscles and pitching was lights out from Steven Hajjar.

Transactions:

• RHP Ben Gross placed on Injured List by Wichita

SAINTS SENTINEL 
St. Paul 8, Indianapolis 1
Box Score

St. Paul gave the ball to Mario Sanchez tonight and he was great. Working six innings, Sanchez allowed just one run on four hits while striking out five and walking none. Even without the offensive explosion, he’d have kept the good guys in it.

Getting behind 1-0 on some poor throwing in the 1st inning, St. Paul charged back in the 4th inning. Alex Kirilloff flashed some much-needed power with a two-run homer to right-center that also brought in Royce Lewis. Tonight was Lewis' second game at the hot corner for St. Paul and he quickly saw the opportunity for a web gem.

In the 5th inning the Saints continued to add and did so in a big way. First Lewis drove in Derek Fisher with a single. Then Kirilloff singled to right scoring Lewis, and Spencer Steer followed with his first Triple-A home run, a two-run blast plating Kirilloff. 

The Saints weren’t satisfied with their lead and Jose Godoy drove in a run with Jermaine Palacios scoring on his ground out in the 6th inning before Mark Contreras drove in Kirilloff with a single of his own. Now up by seven runs, St. Paul had seen plenty of production from their 10 hits tonight.

Lewis, Kirilloff, and Steer all had multi-hit games tonight for St. Paul.

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Corpus Christi 9, Wichita 5
Box Score

Twins pitching prospect Blayne Enlow was making his third start since returning from Tommy John surgery tonight. It was a rough one as he allowed five runs on five hits in just three innings. Although Enlow struck out three batters, he walked four and his season ERA is up to 7.59.

Wichita jumped out to an early lead with Chris Williams launching a three-run blast in the top of the 1st inning. It was his second dinger of the year. Corpus Christi immediately answered with two of their own in the bottom half.

Matt Wallner, who’s been going very well at the plate of late, launched his 9th home run in the 3rd inning. With Austin Martin on base, Wallner’s homer was a two-run blast and erased the two earlier Corpus Christi runs. Although Martin is going through it offensively, he did swipe his 19th base of the season tonight.

Unfortunately that’s where the momentum shifted as the home team grabbed three runs in the bottom half of the third inning and then a two-run homer in the 5th inning put them on top for their first lead of the game. In the 7th inning Corpus Christi pushed across two more and the Wind Surge were looking at a four-run deficit.

Scoring four runs on five hits was nice, but that wasn’t going to get it done for Wichita this evening.

KERNELS NUGGETS
Cedar Rapids 9, Wisconsin 0
Box Score

Sawyer Gipson-Long worked six innings tonight for the Kernels and he was sharp. Allowing no runs on just two hits, Gipson-Long worked around four walks and punched out seven. His season ERA drops to 2.15 with this performance.

Neither team jumped out to an early lead, but Cedar Rapids was able to break the zeroes in the 5th inning. Recently promoted Kyler Fedko reached on a fielder’s choice with Jair Camargo scoring on a throwing error. Wander Javier then roped his 6th double of the season to score Seth Gray and Fedko before an Alerick Soularie ground out brought Javier home.

Things again got quiet until the 7th inning when Aaron Sabato stepped in and grounded a single to center, scoring Anthony Prato. Cedar Rapids had a five-run lead and with Wisconsin generating just two hits on the night that seemed like plenty of breathing room.

Still not content, the Kernels went back to work in the 8th inning. A Will Holland single plated Fedko again before a Prato single scored Alerick Soularie. Christian Encarnacion-Strand made his presence felt hustling down the line and giving Holland a chance to score on an errant throw. Then with two on, Sabato came through again and his 5th double of the season drove in Prato. Adding four more runs in, this one was over before Wisconsin would even get their last raps. Despite the run production, Prato was the only Cedar Rapids batter with a multi-hit effort on the evening.

MUSSEL MATTERS
Fort Myers 8, Bradenton 0
Box Score

Fort Myers turned to prospect Steven Hajjar tonight and he was nothing short of exceptional. Working 5 2/3 innings, Hajjar allowed just two hits and a walk. He punched out a whopping ten hitters and lowered his ERA to 2.17 on the season.

Jumping on the board early, Fort Myers tallied their first run when Noah Cardenas put a ball in play to score Mikey Perez. Cardenas was doubled up on the grounder so no RBI was recorded, but it started the cascade in the run column.

The 5th inning was highlighted in a big way when Kyle Schmidt went out deep to centerfield for a grand slam. Cardenas, Kala’i Rosario, and Dylan Neuse all touched home plate with him on the big fly. Two more came across in the 7th inning when a botched play at shortstop allowed both Emmanuel Rodriguez and Cardenas to scamper home.

Rosario made sure the Mighty Mussels weren’t done when he pushed Keoni Cavaco across the plate on a force out. Following up his earlier grand slam, Schmidt added a solo shot in the 9th inning to push the lead back to seven. Giving up two runs to Bradenton in the bottom of the 8th inning, the six-run deficit was as close as they’d get.

Tonight’s run production was a team effort as the lone batter for Fort Myers with two hits was Schmidt.

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Hitter of the Day – Kyle Schmidt (Ft. Myers) - 2-5, 2 R, 5 RBI, 2 HR(4)
Pitcher of the Day – Steve Hajjar (Ft. Myers) - 5.2 IP 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 10 K

PROSPECT SUMMARY
We will again keep tabs on the Twins top prospects. You’ll probably read about them in the team sections, but if they aren’t there, you’ll see how they did here. 

Here’s a look at how the current Twins Daily Top 20 performed:

#1 - Austin Martin (Wichita) - 0-3, R, BB, K
#2 - Royce Lewis (St. Paul) - 2-5, 2 R, RBI
#3 - Jose Miranda (Minnesota) - 2-4, R, 2B
#4 - Jordan Balazovic (St. Paul) - Did Not Pitch
#5 - Joe Ryan (Minnesota) - Covid-IL
#6 - Matt Canterino (Wichita) - Did Not Pitch
#7 - Jhoan Duran (Minnesota) - Did Not Pitch
#8 - Simeon Woods Richardson (Wichita) - Did Not Pitch
#9 - Josh Winder (Minnesota) - Did Not Pitch
#10 - Noah Miller (Ft. Myers) - 1-4, 2 K
#11 - Gilberto Celestino (Minnesota) - 1-2, RBI
#12 - Matt Wallner (Wichita) - 1-3, R, 2 RBI, BB, HR(9)
#13 - Cole Sands (St. Paul) - Did Not Pitch
#14 - Louie Varland (Wichita) - Did Not Pitch
#15 - Emmanuel Rodriguez (Ft. Myers) - 1-4, R, 3 K
#16 - Ronny Hendriquez (St. Paul) - Did Not Pitch
#17 - Blayne Enlow (Wichita) - 3.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
#18 - Spencer Steer (St. Paul) - 2-4, R, 2 RBI, 2B, HR(1)
#19 - Edouard Julien (Wichita) - IL
#20 - Steve Hajjar (Ft. Myers) - 5.2 IP 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 10 K

FRIDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Indianapolis @ St. Paul (7:07PM CST) - RHP Dereck Rodriguez
Wichita @ Corpus Christi (7:05PM CST) - RHP Matt Canterino
Wisconsin @ Cedar Rapids (6:35PM CST) - RHP John Stankiewicz
Fort Myers @ Bradenton (5:300PM CST) - TBD

Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Thursday’s games! It sure is exciting to have all four Twins full-season affiliates back and playing.

 

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[FlyingFinn]

Kirilloff is hot and now is getting extra base hits. Twins need more of that. Let's call him up and give Miranda more time with the Saints. I would call up Lewis as well and that would mean the end for Gordon (unless Polanco's ankle is bad enough for the IL, which it doesn't sound like it is). Lewis looked good on the highlights defensively playing 3B tonight. 2022 MLB requires more speed and Lewis would give that at 3B (love Gio's D though). Sorry Saints, just when you start looking good, we want to poach your best guys.

Wichita is missing their Steer, but that "wind surge" blew him up to the Saints. And he is playing great there.

Gipson-Long and Haijar dominating their leagues.

[JimPohlad1]

Steven Hajjar ??

[Dman]

Nice to see the bats come out at the affiliate level at least.  Kirilloff continues to mash right along with Lewis at AAA and Steer appears to want to hang right with them.  That is a three headed monster right now in St Paul.  With pitchers expanded to 14 I don't think we will see either player with the Twins until that number moves to 13 or there is an injury.

After having one the worst starts to a season I can remember Wallner has moved his OPS to about 900.  That is quite the accomplishment.  I am going to try and ignore the 33% K rate for now as it was at nearly 50 % to start the season.  He can take walks as well so it looks like he is gaining on that plate discipline skill he will need to make it at the MLB level.

Gipson-Long pitched a shut out against a team that pounded our pitching on Wednesday and so that was big.  He is looking ready to move up a level,  Holland is slowly working his way up to being one of the better hitters on that team as well.  A nice 2 for 3 night with a walk.  He could be a valuable prospect if his bat comes around.  think Nick Gordon with HR power.  A guy who can probably play all the outfield and infield positions and who has speed.

Hajjar has brought the WHIP and ERA down and his K rate is reliever esque. It seems like a good time to move him up.  He is just dominating right now so not sure what more he can learn at low A.  Really nice to see those walks down.  Tough night for the bats with 13 K's and Miller and Rodriguez accounting for 5 of them.

All the affiliates won except the Steerless Windsurge.  Another good night of MiLB baseball for the Twins.  Hopefully some of these prospects can find their way to the top 100 list.

 

[RJA]

The biggest news of the night is Kirilloff driving the ball like he does when he is healthy.  The second biggest news of the night is Hajjar's performance.  It was great to see him limiting his walks. 

[jmlease1]

It's starting to look like Kirilloff is either getting healthier with that wrist, or figuring out how to swing through whatever ongoing issues he might be having (or both). If that's the case, then let's get him back up to MN to help the struggling offense. I've always been a Kirilloff fan, so I'm happy he's getting back on track.

Wallner is on a nice run again. I'm still a little nervous that he just isn't going to make enough contact to let his power play (or get him on base enough), but it's the only question he has to answer. The power is still massive, he's drawing walks, his arm plays well in the corners (and he's not a terrible OF). But it's been very encouraging how he's done after that rotten start.

[roger]

When Kirilloff joined the Saints, he was in a total slump.  Then awhile back we began seeing him get a good number of hits, albeit mostly singles.  Beginning a few games ago we are seeing him driving the ball, the result more extra base hits.  Don't know if he is ready to return, but if he keeps this up for a few more games he certainly should.

The corresponding move will be to send Miranda back to St. Paul.  Unfortunately, Miranda appears to be making adjustments and is beginning to get some hits.  Still makes sense to get him back to AAA where he hopefully will hit like he did in 2021.  And Lewis just keeps whacking the ball and doing what he does.  I still believe it makes sense for him to stay in St. Paul for several more weeks or a month to get more comfortable at both third and left.  Then bring him back with Garlick returning to the Saints.  It is likely, however, that someone will be injured over the coming weeks, which would open a spot for either player.

Have never been a huge fan of Wallner.  Don't know why, other than he always appeared to be another power bat who couldn't play defense, ala, Rooker, Sabato, etc.  But I understand that he is adequate in the field with an excellent arm.  And his bat sure looks like it could play, so hopefully I will be proven wrong.  Unfortunately, don't know where playing time with the Twins could come from over the next few years.

Loved the Twins draft last summer when they took the two lefties in I recall the second and third rounds.  Fantastic seeing Hajjar have games like last night.  Povich also continues to seem like a very strong prospect.

[Harrison Greeley III]

It's getting harder and harder to justify Nick Gordon occupying Royce Lewis' roster spot. 

[Trov]

I am glad to see Kirilloff driving the ball.  I am not ready to bring him back up yet, but if he finishes out the week strong, and reports to be healthy, I am all for him coming up for Miranda, or if Polonco needs to go on DL for him. 

[PDX Twin]

I am having the same thoughts about Steer that I remember having about Arraez five years ago. He's never been a top prospect with all the "tools," but his hitting has been elite at every level. Plus, he has power that Luis does not. I won't be surprised if he ends up getting called up after some infield injuries and making it impossible to send him back down.

[2wins87]

Hajjar looks like he's ready to be challenged more.  He seems to have gotten his minor early season control issues out of the way and has been close to unhittable in his last 4 starts.

With Vallimont claimed by the Orioles I wonder if we'll see a couple of moves.  I'd guess Gipson-Long or Headrick to AA and hopeful Hajjar to A+.

[chpettit19]

Will be very interesting to see what they do with Lewis and Kirilloff. What will it take for Kirilloff to convince the FO that he's healthy/ready? If they feel he's ready would he replace Miranda even though he's not a righty? What does it take for Lewis to supplant Gordon knowing Gordon is likely lost to a rebuilding team if they try to send him back down? Is the only hope for either of them an injury to a current big leaguer? Be interesting to follow for sure.

Hajjar looks like he's mastered A ball and is ready for a bump up to A+. As a 2nd round pick college arm I'd think they'd be willing to make that move pretty quick and challenge him a bit with relatively quick promotions as earned.

Has anyone been watching games and know what Martin has been looking like? Are there changes to his swing and/or approach? That'd make me less concerned with his overall numbers if he's trying to make adjustments on the fly.

[Mike Sixel]

3 hours ago, Harrison Greeley III said:

It's getting harder and harder to justify Nick Gordon occupying Royce Lewis' roster spot. 

I came to type the same thing. 

[roger]

49 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Will be very interesting to see what they do with Lewis and Kirilloff. What will it take for Kirilloff to convince the FO that he's healthy/ready? If they feel he's ready would he replace Miranda even though he's not a righty? What does it take for Lewis to supplant Gordon knowing Gordon is likely lost to a rebuilding team if they try to send him back down? Is the only hope for either of them an injury to a current big leaguer? Be interesting to follow for sure.

Hajjar looks like he's mastered A ball and is ready for a bump up to A+. As a 2nd round pick college arm I'd think they'd be willing to make that move pretty quick and challenge him a bit with relatively quick promotions as earned.

Has anyone been watching games and know what Martin has been looking like? Are there changes to his swing and/or approach? That'd make me less concerned with his overall numbers if he's trying to make adjustments on the fly.

Agree with you and Mike.  With that said, have no problem keeping him in St. Paul a few more weeks to get more reps at third and left.  If I didn't miss something, he has played two games at third and one in left.  Let him get five or six at each spot before the move up.  At two a week in each spot, that would be another three weeks.

[chpettit19]

2 minutes ago, roger said:

Agree with you and Mike.  With that said, have no problem keeping him in St. Paul a few more weeks to get more reps at third and left.  If I didn't miss something, he has played two games at third and one in left.  Let him get five or six at each spot before the move up.  At two a week in each spot, that would be another three weeks.

I can understand getting him some work in left since he's never played it before, but don't agree that he needs to get extra work at 3B if he's ready to hit in the majors. He's a better 3B now than Arraez is and they play Arraez there to get his bat in the lineup (before he was forced to 1B where they were ok with him playing a new position to get his bat in the lineup). Don't think it's the end of the world to get Lewis more work, but if Gordon continues to look like he does or Polanco continues to struggle with his ankle hurting or Urshela doesn't get his OPS up to at least .700 or Miranda keeps struggling and they start losing games while Lewis is mashing in AAA it's a massive mistake. This offense isn't good enough to ignore Lewis if he's one of their best bats.