Twins Minor League Report (7/8): Bechtold Walk-off Bomb Lifts Wind Surge Over Sod Poodles

[Lucas Seehafer PT]

Also, Blayne Enlow looked good, David Festa shoved, and Miguel Sanó helped bring victory to the Twins Complex.

TRANSACTIONS

• RHP Jon Olsen activated from 60-day IL, assigned to High-A Cedar Rapids
• RHP Pierce Banks transferred from High-A Cedar Rapids to Rookie Ball FCL Twins

SAINTS SENTINEL
Louisville 4, St. Paul 1
Box Score

The Saints fell short on Friday night due in large part to an offense that sputtered all evening. Spencer Steer (2-for-3, 2B, BB) was the lone St. Paul batter to register multiple hits. His .876 OPS is currently third on the team behind Tim Beckham (1.090) and Jake Cave (.878). (Jake Cave's 49-game on-base streak ended during the loss.) Elliot Soto—the Saints’ No. 9 hitter—drove in the team’s lone run with a solo home run, his third of the season.

Mario Sanchez started on the bump for St. Paul and surrendered four runs and two home runs across 3 1/3 innings. Ariel Jurado pitched the bulk of the remaining innings, striking out three and allowing only a single base runner during the game’s final four innings. Austin Schulfer lowered his ERA to 2.70 and picked up two strikeouts. 

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Wichita 6, Amarillo 4, F/11
Box Score

An Andrew Bechtold walk-off three-run home run sent the Wind Surge home victorious over the Sod Poodles on Friday. It was Bechtold's ninth dinger of the year. Leobaldo Cabrera (2-for-3, RBI, BB) joined the Wichita third basemen in the homer column with his sixth. Anthony Prato (2-for-5, RBI) and Edouard Julien (1-for-3, RBI, 2 BB, R) each contributed a double. 

Blayne Enlow put together perhaps his best performance of the campaign, striking out five and allowing a single unearned run in four innings. His fastball touched 94 mph and sat 92-93 mph while his breaking ball sat in the low-80s and featured sharp, downward break. Osiris German, Bryan Sammons, Steven Cruz, Jordan Gore, and Andrew Cabezas pitched spectacularly out of the bullpen, combining to strike out five and not allow an earned run in seven innings. 

KERNELS NUGGETS
Cedar Rapids 9, Quad Cities 2
Box Score

The Kernels coasted to a victory over their intrastate rivals thanks to a standout performance by David Festa as well as their bats.

Festa improved his High-A record to 5-0 on the season after striking out eight batters and not allowing a single run in six innings of work. He now owns a 1.91 ERA to go along with 45 strikeouts in 42 1/3 innings with Cedar Rapids.

At the plate, the Kernels popped with aplomb, smoking five extra-base hits, four of which were home runs. Seth Gray (2-for-5, 3 RBI), Jake Rucker (1-for-2, 2 RBI), Dylan Neuse (1-for-4, RBI), and Alerick Soularie (1-for-5, 3 RBI) all hit long balls. Christian Encarnacion-Strand went 2-for-4 with a double, walk, and two runs scored.

MUSSEL MATTERS
Tampa 5, Fort Myers 3
Box Score
Tampa 3, Fort Myers 1
Box Score

The Mighty Mussels dropped both of their contests to the Tarpons on Friday, despite an offense that collected 13 hits combined.

Mike Paredes started and pitched admirably in the first game, striking out three and allowing a single run on a solo shot across four innings. But Tampa touched John Wilson for four runs in the sixth inning, which ultimately gave them the win. Rubel Cespedes (2-for-3, 2 RBI) was the lone Fort Myers batter to pick up multiple hits.

Cespedes also picked up two hits in three at-bats in the second game, contributing his seventh double of the season. He was joined by Kala’i Rosario (2-for-2) whose ninth home run plated the Mighty Mussels only run. Malik Barrington punched out six batters but surrendered three runs in three innings. 

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
FCL Twins 2, FCL Red Sox 0
Box Score

Old friend Miguel Sanó hit a double, walked twice, and drove in a run as the FCL Twins took down the Red Sox on Friday. Andres Centeno (2-for-3, BB) drove in the game's only other run.

Luis Rijo tossed the first three innings for the Twins and struck out five batters. Alex Phillips, Cleiber Maldonado, and Danny Moreno combined to strike out five batters in six innings of hitless work out of the bullpen. 

DOMINICAN DAILIES
DSL Twins 7, DSL Giants Orange 5
Box Score

Independence Day may have been earlier this week, but that didn’t stop the DSL Twins from lighting off some fireworks on Friday. 

Jose Rodriguez (3-for-5, RBI, BB) led the Twins' offensive charge with all three of his going for two bases. Yasser Mercedes (1-for-2, 3 BB, 2 R) was particularly pesky on the base paths, stealing three bags bringing his total to eight on the season. Rafael Cruz (2-for-4, 3 RBI, BB, R) hit his third home run.

On the mound, Christian Jimenez pitched five innings, striking out six and allowing only one earned run. 

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Pitcher of the Day – David Festa (Cedar Rapids) - 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 8 K
Hitter of the Day – Andrew Bechtold (Wichita) - 2-for-5, HR (9), 3 RBI

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 - Royce Lewis (St. Paul) - IL (ACL surgery)
#2 - Austin Martin (Wichita) - Did Not Play
#3 - Emmanuel Rodriguez (Fort Myers) - IL (Knee surgery)
#4 - Simeon Woods Richardson (Wichita) - (Covid IL)
#5 - Matt Canterino (Wichita) - (IL-elbow/forearm)
#6 - Spencer Steer (St. Paul) - 2-for-3, 2B, BB
#13 - Blayne Enlow (Wichita) - 4 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
#15 - Edouard Julien (Wichita) - 1-for-3, RBI, 2 BB, R
#16 - Christian Encarnacion-Strand (Cedar Rapids) - 2-for-4, 2B, BB, 2 R
#18 - David Festa (Cedar Rapids) - 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 8 K

SATURDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
St. Paul @ Louisville (6:05 PM CST) - RHP Aaron Sanchez (3-0, 4.21 ERA)
Wichita vs. Amarillo (6:05 PM CST) - LHP Kody Funderburk (6-2, 3.06 ERA)
Cedar Rapids vs. Quad Cities (6:35 PM CST) - LHP Aaron Rozek (6-2, 3.35 ERA)
Cedar Rapids vs. Quad Cities (TBD) - TBD
Fort Myers @ Tampa (5:30 PM CST) - RHP Marco Raya (3-1, 2.77 ERA)

 

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[Game7-91]

Sod Poodles? WT? They need a new name.

And I thought Wind Surge was goofy.

Just cut to the chase, rename the team the Wichita Flatus. Team motto: "Blowin' 'em away." Team Mascot: "Wee Willy Windy," shaped like the Pillsbury Dough Boy, except poke his belly and something comes back besides cute giggles. 40' mechanical Wee Willy atop the scoreboard, who bends over to produce a fusillade of fireworks from the back side with each home team HR.  Accompanied by finale to 1812 Overture for grand sslams.Draw big crowds with Pull My Finger promotional Tuesdays, giving tooting Wee Willy bobbleheads, Wee Willy air horns,  and free hot dogs to the kids. And everyone who comes to the park can make fun of the Amarillo Sod Poodles, who would still have the worst name of a pro sports team even while sharing a field with the Wichita Flatus. 

And the play by play guy really shouldnt plagairize Gordo's patended HR call.Too close to Game 6 - 91 HR call, which is a national treasure. No imitations allowed. 

[roger]

What do we know about Jose Rodriguez?  Three doubles yesterday with 6 home runs in 82 at bats while hitting .305.  And the kid just turned 17 last month.  If my memory isn’t totally gone, I don’t recall guys hitting a lot of homers in the DSL?
 

I know DeAndrade and Michel were big signings last year.  Was Rodriguez also a big bonus kid?

[Seth Stohs]

1 hour ago, roger said:

What do we know about Jose Rodriguez?  Three doubles yesterday with 6 home runs in 82 at bats while hitting .305.  And the kid just turned 17 last month.  If my memory isn’t totally gone, I don’t recall guys hitting a lot of homers in the DSL?

I know DeAndrade and Michel were big signings last year.  Was Rodriguez also a big bonus kid?

The top guys in signed in January 2022 were: 
Yasser Mercedes ($1.7M)
Yilber Herrera ($700K)
Bryan Acuna ($650K)
Jose Rodriguez ($650K)

Also, from MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez: 
Harold Grant, IF, Spain -- $400,000
Ricardo Pena, C, Venezuela -- $300,000
Jesus Peraza, C, Venezuela -- $250,000
Leonardo Lugo, RHS, Venezuela -- $175,000
Anderson Nova, OF, Dominican Republic -- $150,000
Juan Zapata, IF, Dominican Republic -- $130,000
Ledwin Taveras, RHS, Dominican Republic -- $25,000
Cesar Lares, LHS, Venezuela -- $10,000
Jeferson Lopez, RHS, Venezuela -- $10,000
Daniel Pena, C, Venezuela -- $10,000

 

[RJA]

Great report, Lucas. Highlight for me is Enlow having his best outing of the year. Let’s hope he can build on it. It is nice to see Festa continuing to pitch well. Both he and Povich look like solid prospects. With the number of injuries plaguing the Twins—Paddack, Alcala, Dobnak, Madea, Ober, Balazovic, Canterino, Stashak, Romero, Smith, etc—finding college arms in the middle rounds of the draft is crucial and the FO has done a good job of it. 

[Dman]

Festa has far and away been the most consistent starting pitcher in the system this year.  Would really like to see them move him to AA after the all star break to get acclimated to one of the toughest levels for a pitcher.  That would put him in good shape to possibly be a difference maker next year.

I like Povich and it has been a solid year but he does seem to go off the rails sometimes.  Not sure why that is.  Still I could see the Twins moving him up to AA as well keep him at high A.  Again if they push it sets him up better to be a lefty option next year if needed\warranted.

 

[Dman]

3 hours ago, roger said:

What do we know about Jose Rodriguez?  Three doubles yesterday with 6 home runs in 82 at bats while hitting .305.  And the kid just turned 17 last month.  If my memory isn’t totally gone, I don’t recall guys hitting a lot of homers in the DSL?
 

Not that I have been watching the DSL that long but I have to agree there generally is not much home run action at that level.  This kid must be something to watch.  No way they move him to the FSL this year but I sure hope they do next year.  If the BA and power are there, no reason not too.

Also nice to see Mercedes performing as advertised.  Taking three walks so good plate discipline, hitting well, stealing bases.  Only thing he hasn't done is hit for power.  He has a nice build and power is generally the last thing to come unless of course you are Jose Rodriguez.  

At any rate good to see some of those picks performing well right out of the gates.

[roger]

2 hours ago, Seth Stohs said:

The top guys in signed in January 2022 were: 
Yasser Mercedes ($1.7M)
Yilber Herrera ($700K)
Bryan Acuna ($650K)
Jose Rodriguez ($650K)

Also, from MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez: 
Harold Grant, IF, Spain -- $400,000
Ricardo Pena, C, Venezuela -- $300,000
Jesus Peraza, C, Venezuela -- $250,000
Leonardo Lugo, RHS, Venezuela -- $175,000
Anderson Nova, OF, Dominican Republic -- $150,000
Juan Zapata, IF, Dominican Republic -- $130,000
Ledwin Taveras, RHS, Dominican Republic -- $25,000
Cesar Lares, LHS, Venezuela -- $10,000
Jeferson Lopez, RHS, Venezuela -- $10,000
Daniel Pena, C, Venezuela -- $10,000

 

I like it when they sign ten guys for roughly $5M, rather than one guy like the year they signed Javier.  

[Sielk]

6 hours ago, roger said:

What do we know about Jose Rodriguez?  Three doubles yesterday with 6 home runs in 82 at bats while hitting .305.  And the kid just turned 17 last month.  If my memory isn’t totally gone, I don’t recall guys hitting a lot of homers in the DSL?
 

I know DeAndrade and Michel were big signings last year.  Was Rodriguez also a big bonus kid?

I commented something very similar under yesterday's minor league report. To see so much power with a kid that just turned 17 is remarkable. Would be great if the Twins really hit it out of the park with one (or more) of these international signings. 

But I have to say, this year's class has mostly gotten of to a good start in general. When I glimpsed at the DSL box score last year, there were a lot of kids with an OPS around .500 or .600. This year there are several who are playing really well. 

I'm also intrigued by Yasser Mercedes who seems to play a pretty good all around game. He hit his first pro homer today. Let's hope it continues!

[mikelink45]

Schulfer to the pen - next arm, step right up.