Twins Minor League Report (7/14): Wallner and Encarnacion-Strand Earn Promotions

[Ted Schwerzler]

Before any action above the Complex League took place today, the big news was Matt Wallner and Christian Encarnacion-Strand earning their promotions. Wallner is now back home in Minnesota at Triple-A, while Encarnacion-Strand heads to Double-A Wichita.

 

Transactions:

• OF Matt Wallner has been promoted to Triple-A St. Paul
• C David Banuelos activated off IL by St. Paul
• RHP Ben Heller signed by Minnesota and assigned to Triple-A St. Paul
• INF Christian Encarnacion-Strand has been promoted to Double-A Wichita
• C Roy Morales transferred to Double-A Wichita from St. Paul
• C Frank Nigro was transferred to Single-A Fort Myers from Wichita
• C Alex Rodriguez was transferred to FCL Twins from Fort Myers
• CF Kennie Taylor activated off IL by Cedar Rapids
• C Jair Camargo begins rehab assignment for Wichita with FCL
• INF Ernie Yake begins rehab assignment for Wichita with FCL

Making his Double-A debut this season, Wallner raked after a slow start. Across 78 games he posted a .299/.436/.597 slash line with 24 home runs. He’s reigned in the strikeouts to the tune of a manageable 107/62 K/BB, and he finished his time with the Wind Surge putting up a 4-for-4 effort on Wednesday night.

Encarnacion-Strand was Minnesota’s 4th round pick in 2021, and he spent 74 games this year with High-A Cedar Rapids. Encarnacion-Strand got off to a hot start and has maintained the production to the tune of a .296/.370/.599 slash line. His 20 home runs are eye-popping, and the power plays well from the hot corner.

Both players will now get extended run at the next level of the farm, likely remaining there through the duration of the season. Wallner joins teammate Spencer Steer as representatives for the MLB Futures Game taking place on Saturday in Los Angeles as part of the All-Star festivities.

SAINTS SENTINEL 
Toledo 10, St. Paul 1
Box Score

 

Former top Twins pitching prospect Jordan Balazovic was on the bump for the Saints tonight. He’s really struggled this year and couldn’t escape that same fate tonight. He went just two innings and allowed four runs on five hits. Balazovic gave up a walk, and a homer, while striking out one.

Toledo scored first tallying two in the first frame. Then Kody Clemens, son of Roger Clemens, crushed a two-run bomb in the next frame. Down 4-0 in the third inning, rehabbing Miguel Sano roped a line drive single to plate Spencer Steer for the Saints first run.

 

It continued to go sideways from there and by the time St. Paul batted in the 7th inning, they trailed 8-1. Failing to score in their half of the frame, the Saints Ariel Jurado served up two more on an 8th inning Mud Hens blast. Wallner was hitless to this point, and Sano's two raps didn't matter. It was a laugher at 10-1.

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Wichita 11, Arkansas 5
Box Score

 

Wichita went with Cody Laweryson tonight and he turned in a good outing. Working 3 1/3 innings, the righty allowed no runs on three hits. He allowed two walks but also struck out two batters.

The Wind Surge jumped ahead early when Andrew Bechtold blasted his 12th homer of the year, a solo shot to left-center. Chris Williams continued his hot hitting, and his 13th double scored Cole Sturgeon to give the good guys a 2-0 lead in the 2nd inning.

Not content with the first bit of production, Wichita went back to work in the 3rd inning. Williams hit his 12th homer of the year, this one a grand slam, to drive in Roy Morales, Bechtold, and Sturgeon. Then Edouard Julien took advantage of a fielding error allowing Anthony Prato to race home and make it a 7-0 lead.

The Travelers got on the board with a 5th inning solo blast, but it was quickly negated when Prato scored on Ozoria’s fielder’s choice. Then the newly-promoted Christian Encarnacion-Strand recorded his first Double-A hit, a double, scoring both Ozoria and Julien making it 10-1.

Offense remained the name of this game into the late innings. Arkansas drew closer with four runs in the 6th inning, but Williams answered with his 13th homer, and second of the game, to push the lead back up to 11-5.

Bechtold and finished with four hits tonight while Williams had three hits and six RBI. Sturgeon also had a multi-hit game.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS
Cedar Rapids 5, Beloit 1
Box Score

 

David Festa has cruised this season for the Kernels and tonight was more of the same. He worked six innings allowing a single run on four hits. The righty picked up six punchouts and walked three. His ERA on the year is down to 1.86.

Run production was in short supply tonight. Kyle Fedko ripped a solo shot in the 1st inning to make it 1-0, and then a passed ball allowed Alerick Soularie to scamper home. Despite giving up a run in the 6th inning, Cedar Rapids maintained the tight lead.

After both Fedko and Soularie reached base in the 8th inning, Yunior Severino doubled the lead on a single and gave the Kernels breathing room to the tune of 4-1. Will Holland wanted to make sure a save situation wasn’t necessary, so his sacrifice fly in the 9th inning scored Wander Javier did just that.

With eight hits total on the night, two hits came from each of Fedko, Severino, and Pat Winkel.

 

MUSSEL MATTERS
Postponed

Tonight's game has been postponed due to unplayable field conditions.

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
FCL Pirates 7, FCL Twins 4
Box Score

Infielder Ernie Yake was rehabbing while on the injured list today with the FCL Twins. He was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and played second base. Jair Camargo was also playing as part of a rehab assignment. As the designated hitter, Camargo was 1-for-4 with a triple and an RBI. Luis Rijo was recently removed from the 60-day injured list and transferred to the FCL so he could continue to rehab. Today, he made another start. He went four innings while allowing two runs and striking out four. It was the first of his six appearances this season in which he’s allowed an earned run.

DOMINICAN DAILIES
DSL Twins 6, DSL Colorado 5
Box Score

Outfielder Yasser Mercedes was 4-for-5 including a leadoff homer in this one for the Twins. Anderson Nova also had a two-hit game while Anthony Narvaez punched out four across 2 2/3 innings of one-hit relief work.

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Pitcher of the Day – David Festa (Cedar Rapids) - 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
Hitter of the Day – Chris Williams (Wichita) - 3-4, 2 R, 6 RBI, 2B, 2 HR(13)

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:

#6 - Spencer Steer (St. Paul) - 1-2, R, BB, K
#7 - Jordan Balazovic (St. Paul) - 2.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
#12 - Matt Wallner (St. Paul) - 0-3, K
#15 - Edouard Julien (Wichita) - 1-4, R
#16 - Christian Encarnacion-Strand (Wichita) - 1-5, 2 RBI, 2B, K
#18 - David Festa (Cedar Rapids) - 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K

FRIDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
Toledo @ St. Paul (7:07PM CST) - RHP Aaron Sanchez
Arkansas @ Wichita (7:05PM CST) - LHP Kody Funderburk 
Cedar Rapids @ Beloit (6:35PM CST) - RHP Sean Mooney
Clearwater @ Fort Myers (3:30PM CST/Game 2 to follow) - TBD/TBD

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

 

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[Dman]

Congrats to Wallner and Christian Encarnation-Strand!!  They are both well earned promotions.  Hoping they both don't skip a beat and keep on performing at a high level.  The more hitters ready to go the better.

[bean5302]

I would really have been surprised if Wallner didn't get bumped up to AAA. I mean... there's not much else you can ask the guy to do, haha.

Encarnation-Strand earned his jump up as well. It'll be interesting to see how his game plays at AA. The BB vs. K ratio is okay and he's been destroying the baseball this year in high A. Hopefully, he's able to maintain the fairly aggressive plate approach against much tougher competition.

[jkcarew]

What is the point right now with Balazovic pitching (attempting) at AAA? Every start is the same…50 pitches over 2 innings, a ton of baserunners, and a home run. If he’s hurt, shelf him. If he’s not, why not get him back to AA? It’s not like he had AA figured out last year. The decision to start him at the AAA level this year is looking bad, given the IL stint to start the year, and a very short (and rough) rehab assignment at Fort Myers.

 

[roger]

I don’t understand Balazovic.  His stuff appeared to be too good for these results.  Is he dealing with an injury?  Is it mental?  Many of us were hopeful he would pitch for the Twins later this summer.  Now have to wonder if he ever will pitch for the Twins.  Has to be the biggest disappointment this year.

[TwinsDr2021]

Balazovic has been somebody I have been really high on and the last few years somebody I didn't want the Twins to trade away, but this is how the world MLB prospects work. Balazovic is still pretty young by Twins standards he won't turn 24 until September, but IMO the days of thinking he could be a top of the rotation starter are pretty much over, my hopes now dropped to a role similiar to Josh Winder (that isn't meant as a bad thing for either guy but more of just a MLB pitcher, not a star)

Congrats to the promoted guys, good Luck!

[Dman]

I went to the Kernals game in Beloit last night to watch David Festa pitch and he pitched well only giving up one run through 6 innings.  I have to say I knew he was a skinny\lanky guy but I still was surprised at just how thin he is.  Still at the start of the game he was really popping the catchers glove with the fastball.  I guess with the slight frame I can see why some think he is likely more destined for the pen than starter.  Last night I wouldn't say his stuff looked  overly impressive to be honest and yet he was very effective.  The Beloit hitters really had a hard time getting solid contact so he must be doing something right.  All in all it was a joy to watch him pitch.

I watched Javier a few years back and he looks different now.  Looks more confident and I felt he had a good eye at the plate.  He didn't get a hit last night but I still think that he can become a solid hitter.  Looking at him I don't see the elite player we might have been hoping he would become but he still could be a valuable utility player and if the bat heats up then a solid regular.  He has a ways to go but this is the best he has looked in a long time to me.

While I was hoping to see Christian Encarnation-Strand they promoted him one game before I got the chance.  At any rate to me the most impressive hitter last night was Kyler Fedko.  This guy has legs like tree trunks and looks like he could deadlift a bus with good speed as well.  Maybe he just had a good night as he started the game with what looked like a double but just cleared the fence for a home run and went 2 for 5 with no K's. His stance is odd as his crouch is low and he sticks his butt out but he puts the bat through the zone well and made good contact all night.  I know he was a lower pick but he kind of reminds me of Spencer Steer somewhat in that he has good plate discipline, makes solid contact and just looks good in the box.  I think the Twins might have something in Fedko.  

While I wasn't impressed with Winkel's defense as he looked slow trying to throw runners out he was making good contact at the plate.  I think his bat might play and guessing the D will improve.  He looked like the second best hitter on the team to me.  Granted based on just one night just a few at bats.

Soularie has a slighter build than I thought he would have but he was making good contact last night as well.  I guess I can see why other scouts thought the Twins picked him too high.  He looks OK just not sure about him though.

Was a great night for baseball and the Kernals had some clutch hits and defensive plays to round out the win.  They look like a pretty solid team even without CES.

[Dman]

10 hours ago, jkcarew said:

What is the point right now with Balazovic pitching (attempting) at AAA? Every start is the same…50 pitches over 2 innings, a ton of baserunners, and a home run. If he’s hurt, shelf him. If he’s not, why not get him back to AA? It’s not like he had AA figured out last year. The decision to start him at the AAA level this year is looking bad, given the IL stint to start the year, and a very short (and rough) rehab assignment at Fort Myers.

 

Yeah I don't get it either.  I really don't understand how he could be this bad.  I mean crazy bad.  At this point I am hoping this is something similar to Gore last year where he couldn't find the plate and was horrible and then ends up fine the next year.

Covid really messed things up as guys couldn't get promoted fast enough or pitch enough innings to see where they were at, at the highest levels.  Now we have Balazovich, Sands and Strotman taking up valuable 40 man space and they shouldn't even need to be on the 40 man as no team would want any of those three on their roster for the year.  Their poor performance is killing this team in more way than one

[In My La Z boy]

32 minutes ago, Dman said:

I went to the Kernals game in Beloit last night to watch David Festa pitch and he pitched well only giving up one run through 6 innings.  I have to say I knew he was a skinny\lanky guy but I still was surprised at just how thin he is.  Still at the start of the game he was really popping the catchers glove with the fastball.  I guess with the slight frame I can see why some think he is likely more destined for the pen than starter.  Last night I wouldn't say his stuff looked  overly impressive to be honest and yet he was very effective.  The Beloit hitters really had a hard time getting solid contact so he must be doing something right.  All in all it was a joy to watch him pitch.

I watched Javier a few years back and he looks different now.  Looks more confident and I felt he had a good eye at the plate.  He didn't get a hit last night but I still think that he can become a solid hitter.  Looking at him I don't see the elite player we might have been hoping he would become but he still could be a valuable utility player and if the bat heats up then a solid regular.  He has a ways to go but this is the best he has looked in a long time to me.

While I was hoping to see Christian Encarnation-Strand they promoted him one game before I got the chance.  At any rate to me the most impressive hitter last night was Kyler Fedko.  This guy has legs like tree trunks and looks like he could deadlift a bus with good speed as well.  Maybe he just had a good night as he started the game with what looked like a double but just cleared the fence for a home run and went 2 for 5 with no K's. His stance is odd as his crouch is low and he sticks his butt out but he puts the bat through the zone well and made good contact all night.  I know he was a lower pick but he kind of reminds me of Spencer Steer somewhat in that he has good plate discipline, makes solid contact and just looks good in the box.  I think the Twins might have something in Fedko.  

While I wasn't impressed with Winkel's defense as he looked slow trying to throw runners out he was making good contact at the plate.  I think his bat might play and guessing the D will improve.  He looked like the second best hitter on the team to me.  Granted based on just one night just a few at bats.

Soularie has a slighter build than I thought he would have but he was making good contact last night as well.  I guess I can see why other scouts thought the Twins picked him too high.  He looks OK just not sure about him though.

Was a great night for baseball and the Kernals had some clutch hits and defensive plays to round out the win.  They look like a pretty solid team even without CES.

Cedar Rapids has our best minor league pitching staff. I wish we had some help in St. Paul. 

[raindog]

If Balozovic's struggles have anything to do with his knee, this is bordering on negligent treatment of him. 

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Dman said:

Now we have Balazovich, Sands and Strotman taking up valuable 40 man space and they shouldn't even need to be on the 40 man as no team would want any of those three on their roster for the year.  Their poor performance is killing this team in more way than one

You left out Henriquez and Enlow.

[Dman]

12 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

You left out Henriquez and Enlow.

Good point they are un-usable as well essentially making it a 35 man instead of 40.

[bighat]

12 hours ago, jkcarew said:

What is the point right now with Balazovic pitching (attempting) at AAA? Every start is the same…50 pitches over 2 innings, a ton of baserunners, and a home run. If he’s hurt, shelf him. If he’s not, why not get him back to AA? It’s not like he had AA figured out last year. The decision to start him at the AAA level this year is looking bad, given the IL stint to start the year, and a very short (and rough) rehab assignment at Fort Myers.

 

Balozovic is a great example of why you shouldn't overvalue prospects. Over the past couple of years, Twins fans would have rioted with torches and pitchforks if Balazovic would have been involved in a trade. People were penciling him in as Berrios' replacement, putting him as a sure thing for the 2022 or 2023 starting rotation. You think I'm exaggerating, go ahead and look up the comments.

From this article: "Even with the time missed due to the pandemic, the Canadian is knocking on the door to the big leagues.....If he can be a staff ace, the organization will have its next piece to build around. "

And from this one: "A strong finish could help Balazovic reach St. Paul before the season’s end, with a call-up to the Twins looming in 2022"

Lesson: never be too attached to a prospect before they actually prove they can play in The Show. Minor league numbers mean nothing if you can't repeat them in Target Field.

 

 

 

 

[bean5302]

12 hours ago, jkcarew said:

What is the point right now with Balazovic pitching (attempting) at AAA? Every start is the same…50 pitches over 2 innings, a ton of baserunners, and a home run. If he’s hurt, shelf him. If he’s not, why not get him back to AA? It’s not like he had AA figured out last year. The decision to start him at the AAA level this year is looking bad, given the IL stint to start the year, and a very short (and rough) rehab assignment at Fort Myers.

 

How will AA help him or the Twins in your opinion?

Here's what I recall. Balazovic was making a mockery of AA hitters last year until Wes Johnson challenged him to use the changeup in any count against lefties and righties. After that point, Balazovic was pretty inconsistent and suddenly started walking a ton of guys. Johnson was not nearly as  bullish on Balazovic as Twins fans were with the coach suggesting Balazovic might have a ceiling of middle of the rotation. 

Is the problem AAA hitters or is the problem Balazovic's changeup just doesn't work against high level competition? 

Balazovic 
AA <7/25/2021 - 31.3 K%, 5.5 BB%, 1.04 WHIP, 2.44 ERA, 2.73 FIP
AA >7/25/2021 - 18.2 K%, 11.3 BB%, 1.71 WHIP, 4.61 ERA, 4.90 FIP
AAA >5/07/2022 - 17.6 K%, 9.8 BB%, 2.32 WHIP, 10.12 ERA, 7.70 FIP

Balazovic doesn't really look much different in AAA this year than he did to finish AA last year. He's giving up a ton of hits, being hit hard, walking a ton of guys and not striking many out. Maybe there's an underlying injury or maybe he's just destined to be a 2 pitch guy working out of the bullpen. I don't see how AA will help him. At least he's super close to the Twins' staff right now. Putting him in Wichita (the middle of nowhere) doesn't feel like an advantage to me.

[mikelink45]

I understand all the Balazovic comments, I was really expecting him to rise to MLB this year, but now I wonder where he will drop to in the prospect rankings?  Will there be new rankings at the All star break?

Our AAA staff really does not seem ready to step up to help the Twins on the mound.  A lot of disappointing arms like others have pointed out.