Minor League Report (8/6): Offense Galore

[Matt Braun]

A 2022 draft pick made his professional debut, a few hitters broke out, and Blayne Enlow had one of his best outings of the season. Read all about that and more in this edition of the minor league report. 

TRANSACTIONS
OF Mark Contreras optioned to St. Paul 

Saints Sentinel
St. Paul 5, Omaha 0
Box Score
Ariel Jurado: 4 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
HR: John Andreoli (9), Jermaine Palacios 2 (11, 12), Braden Bishop (1)
Multi-hit games: Michael Helman (2-for-5, 2B, R), Jermaine Palacios (2-for-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI)

St. Paul smothered their opponent on Saturday.

Ariel Jurado earned the nod for the start on Saturday and was effective, if not sporadic. No Storm Chaser crossed home plate under his watch, but the righty only coaxed a single strikeout from his opponents, instead relying on his defense to make plays behind him. 

St. Paul’s bats were cleared for take-off; the team launched four home runs in their effort, with Jermaine Palacios’ second bomb acting as the lone non-solo shot. John Andreoli and Braden Bishop, perhaps united in their effort as former fringe Mariners, also homered. Bishop’s was his first of the season.

Evan Sisk was the big-winner for Saints’ relievers; the lefty-handed return in the J.A. Happ trade pitched two shutout innings with a pair of strikeouts. Sisk will likely be in the majors sooner than later.

Wind Surge Wisdom
Wichita 5, San Antonio 1
Box Score
Blayne Enlow: 4 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
HR: Jair Camargo (4)
Multi-hit games: Chris Williams (2-for-4, 2B, R, RBI, BB), Ernie Yake (2-for-4, 2B, R), Leobaldo Cabrera (3-for-4, 2B, RBI)

Wichita easily handled their opponent on Saturday.

Blayne Enlow established order; the righty allowed one earned run over four frames, striking out an equal number of batters for good measure. It’s been an up-and-down season for Enlow, and this start was certainly one of the bright spots.

Wichita’s offense ensured Enlow’s start would not go for naught; Chris Williams and Andrew Bechtold both doubled in the 1st inning, scoring three total runs. Leobaldo Cabrera returned with an RBI double in the third frame; Jair Camargo, just to be mean, blasted a solo shot in the 7th.

Cody Laweryson worked three scoreless innings, striking out four batters with two hits allowed. Laweryson dropped his AA ERA to 1.03. Yes, that’s the correct number.

Some guy named Fernando Tatís Jr. started for San Antonio and walked twice.

Kernels Nuggets
Cedar Rapids 1, Beloit 2
Box Score
David Festa: 3 1/3 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
HR: None
Multi-hit games: Wander Javier (2-for-4), Jeferson Morales (2-for-4, RBI)

The Kernels lost a low-scoring affair on Saturday.

David Festa, newly anointed as the 13th best prospect according to this site, started for the first time since July 24th, allowing a pair of runs with, yes, a picked-off runner. Get used to reading that.

Cedar Rapids struggled against Beloit’s pitchers. Perhaps they were baffled by the “Sky Carps” moniker—as the team changed their name for the night—or maybe they were offended that a pitcher named “Puckett” earned the save for the opposing team; in any case, the team did not hit. Will Holland earned the sole extra-base hit of the night, his 11th double of the season. 

Kernels’ relievers worked as their positional name implies, shutting out Beloit with 5 2/3 effective innings. Jon Olsen struck out four batters; Tyler Palm did not allow a baserunner.

Mussel Matters
Fort Myers 6, Bradenton 9
Box Score
Mike Paredes: 4 1/3 IP, 10 H, 5 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
HR: Carlos Aguiar (9)
Multi-hit games: Misael Urbina (3-for-5, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI), Kala’i Rosario (2-for-5, RBI), Dillon Tatum (2-for-2, 2B, 2 R, 2 BB), Carlos Aguiar (2-for-4, HR, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI)

The Mighty Mussels could not steal command of the game on Saturday.

Mike Paredes, fresh off winning the Twins Daily Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Month award, served up a clunker; the righty rushed through regression with whiplash intensity, allowing nearly as many hits (10) as outs (13). 

Fort Myers’ bats enjoyed the game far more; Carlos Aguiar and Misael Urbina clocked multiple extra-base hits while Noah Miller tripled for, appropriately, the third time. It was a tremendous effort, but the early deficit proved insurmountable.

Jackson Hicks and Samuel Perez found better luck than Paredes—although Hicks walked four batters—but the Marauders still walked away with nine total runs; a total the Mighty Mussels fell short in chasing.

Complex Chronicles
FCL Twins 10, FCL Red Sox 11 
Box Score
Tomas Cleto: 2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
HR: Gregory Duran (2), Alex Isola (1), Ricardo Olivar (5)
Multi-hit games: Tanner Schobel (2-for-5, 2 R), Danny De Andrade (2-for-5, R, RBI), Ricardo Olivar (3-for-4, HR, R, 3 RBI), Gregory Duran (2-for-5, HR, R, RBI)

The FCL Twins lost a high-scoring affair. 

Recent 1st round pick Brooks Lee manned shortstop to start and netted a single out of three tries at the plate. Tanner Schobel—another 2022 draft pick—dropped in two singles while working as the designated hitter. Jorel Ortega debuted for the first time and promptly struck out in three at-bats. It’ll be on to the next one for him. 

Alex Isola started a rehab assignment, blasting a health-proving three-run homer while also walking.  

Dominican Dailies
DSL Twins 4, DSL Rockies 10
Box Score
Cesar Lares: 2 2/3 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
HR: Yasser Mercedes (4)
Multi-hit games: Yasser Mercedes (2-for-4, HR, R, 3 RBI), Denyerbe Gervis (2-for-4, R), Juan Zapata (2-for-3, 2B, R)

The DSL Twins were smoked on Saturday.

Yasser Mercedes continued his head-turning start to the season; the athletic outfielder homered for the fourth time and swiped his 21st bag of the season. If you haven’t heard, I’m here to let you know—Mercedes is the real deal.

Juan Zapata and Isaac Pena were the only other hitters with an extra-base knock on Saturday. 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Blayne Enlow
Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Jermaine Palacios

PROSPECT SUMMARY
Here’s a look at how the Twins Daily Top 20 Twins Prospects performed:
#2 - Brooks Lee (FCL Twins) - 1-3, R
#7 - Noah Miller (Ft. Myers) - 1-5, 3B, K
#9 - Matt Wallner (St. Paul) - 0-3, 2 BB
#13 - David Festa (Cedar Rapids) - 3 ⅓ IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
#14 - Edouard Julien (Wichita) - 1-5, 2 K
#15 - Blayne Enlow (Wichita) - 4 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
#18 - Tanner Schobel (FCL Twins) - 2-5, 2 R, K
#20 - Kala’i Rosario (Ft. Myers) - 2-5, RBI

SUNDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
St. Paul @ Omaha (5:05 PM) - LHP Devin Smeltzer 
NW Arkansas @ Wichita (6:05 PM) - RHP Casey Legumina
Beloit @ Cedar Rapids (2:05 PM) - TBD
Bradenton @ Fort Myers (12:00 PM) - RHP Regi Grace 

 

 

 

 

 

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[FlyingFinn]

Urbina, Severino and Helmin continue their one month or so streak of hitting well but Palacios is simply on fire! 2 more homers tonight. What has gotten into him!

Nice pitching from the top three levels - Enlow seems to be getting a little streak of good outings going.

[weitz41]

I was interested in Will Holland's numbers for the season. I'm pretty sure that Will Holland didn't get an extra base hit last night.   Nice to see Enlow have a decent outing.

[stringer bell]

Picking through what is left at St. Paul, I am curious about Evan Sisk. That he is a lefty has to help his cause. Will he have to be protected from being selected in the Rule V draft? It looks like he walks quite a few, good K numbers. He's 25, so not quite a fuzzy cheeked youngster. 

Palacios looks like he can at least be a utility player in the majors. His hot streak now gives him very good numbers at triple A and he demonstrated a good glove in his short stay with the Twins. I see he played 3B yesterday and he has had a bit of time in the outfield. I know he'd have to be added to the 40-man to be protected from the Rule V draft in the off season, but he could well be the opening day SS for the Twins in 2023.

 

[jmlease1]

Palacios is doing a great job with his opportunities and should get a chance to win a spot on the MLB roster next season. If Correa leaves, it'll be interesting to see if the team will give him a shot to hold down SS while Royce works his way back from injury. (I suspect they'll at least bring in a veteran to compete, but why not Palacios? he certainly looks like he can field the position)

I'm just happy to see Enlow getting innings. All I want from him is to finish the season healthy and start finding his command again. it's a big injury to come back from, but he looks like he still has the stuff to compete and just needs time and innings to get back as a pitcher.

Confused to see Alex Isola hitting a dinger back in rookie ball; is he rehabbing an injury at the complex? He's been playing well in AA, and I'm curious to see what kind of future he has at catcher for us.

[roger]

Good article in today's Strib about Brooks Lee.  They talked to the family he lived with when he played in Willmar of the Northwoods League two summers ago.  The family mentioned they were planning on seeing him in two weeks when he moves up to Cedar Rapids.  Interesting comment, hopefully happens and he gets a few weeks to face much better pitching.

[Rosterman]

Isola is on a rehab assignment.

A decision will have to be made quickly on Palacios as he will be a minor league free agent once the season ends.

Depending on how Pagan continues to pitch, or if the bullpen suffers an injury, see Sisk getting a cup of coffee. Maybe Schulfer, too. But the Twins will probably run the gamut of Felix, Peacock, Wood as well as a return of Cotton or Minaya before trying someone totally new.

[wabene]

Earlier in the year I didn't see Correa coming back next year, but it is now looking like a possibility. The guy has proven to be clutch, however and he could really catch fire the rest of the way. Depth is good and with Royce needing time to get back and the pitching depth available on paper for next year, it could be good. 

[tony&rodney]

I can only base my thoughts concerning the skills of Jermaine Palacios on watching him play via milb.com and the few games he had with the Twins. Hopefully there is someone specifically looking to analyze his game and the changes he has made to improve with his bat this year, because right now Palacios is possibly the most exciting position player (or at least the closest to MLB) in the Twins farm system. His performance this year at AAA has earned him a shot to play up a level. Palacios needs to be added to the 40 person roster unless some very accurate metrics can unequivocally show that he will not be useful in the major leagues. 

[DocBauer]

Palacios will need to be protected. You don't just give up a talented glove like his, position flexibility, and a potentially decent bat for nothing. At worst, he's probably a nice utility player. At best, he might be a starting SS for someone. If Correa leaves, he's the Twins starting SS to begin 2023, IMO.

Really nice to see Enlow take a step forward. He was just turning a corner before he got hurt. A positive finish sets him up for a nice 2023.

Is Sisk flying under the radar? Low A in 2019, no 2020, jumps to high A and then AA in 2021 before coming to the Twins in trade. Great start at Wichita this year and almost as good at St Paul so far. But to be fair, only 16IP at AAA so far. But he's shown nice, normal, steady progression.

I'm sure he's behind Moran for now, unless the Twins want 3 LH in the pen. But I'd think he's a keeper for 2023 even if he doesn't audition this year. Can't risk losing a mid 20's LHRP showing promise.

 

[Seth Stohs]

2 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

Confused to see Alex Isola hitting a dinger back in rookie ball; is he rehabbing an injury at the complex? He's been playing well in AA, and I'm curious to see what kind of future he has at catcher for us.

He hasn't played a AA game since June 1st. He's been on the IL. This was just his first rehab appearance. 

[PDX Twin]

Quote

Perhaps they were baffled by the “Sky Carps” moniker—as the team changed their name for the night

Beloit has been the Sky Carp all season. Did they change to something else last night?

[ashbury]

12 hours ago, Matt Braun said:

Jorel Ortega debuted for the first time

And probably for the last.

[FlyingFinn]

3 hours ago, Rosterman said:

Maybe Schulfer, too.

He's been pitching poorly of late. ERA is up to 4.71. SO/BB ratio still isn't bad though.