Minor League Report (8/21): Wallner Walks It off for St. Paul, Touchdowns for Cedar Rapids and Wichita

[David Youngs]

Donning their Captain America threads, Minnesota's own Matt Wallner was the superhero for the Saints on Sunday afternoon. On top of that, the Kernels and Wind Surge each plated a touchdowns (and extra point) worth of runs in a pair of victories. Get all the info on action from across the farm on Sunday!

SAINTS SENTINAL
St. Paul 5, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 4 (10)
Box Score

Forest Lake, Minnesota native Matt Wallner has developed a reputation for blistering the cover off of baseballs; it's why he's ascended the farm system ladder quicker than most in the Twins organization over the past few years. 

Yet Wallner didn't need a blazing double or walk-off homer to propel the Saints to a matinee victory against the RailRiders on Sunday. A light-hit grounder up the middle would suffice just fine.

Wallner's hit to score Elliot Soto from third capped off an impressive victory for St. Paul that featured a pair of homers and an impressive RBI double. 

Chris Williams got the party started for the Saints with a solo shot in the first inning to put St. Paul on the board. Williams now has five homers on the season and hit safely in five of six games against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. 

After surrendering three runs to the RailRiders in the second inning Jermaine Palacios cut the deficit to one with a solo homer to right-center field in the fourth inning on a 2-2 count. Caleb Hamilton added a run in the sixth with an RBI double to score Williams and Michael Helman scored on a wild-pitch walk with Williams at the plate in the eighth. 

Highly-touted prospect Simeon Woods Richardson had moments of brilliance despite a rocky stat line, allowing four hits and three runs through three innings while striking out four. Outside of his run-ridden second inning, Woods Richardson was excellent, pitching a 1-2-3 first inning and scoreless third inning. 

RHP Ronny Henriquez took the bump following Woods Richardson and was excellent through three innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out three. Michael Feliz and Jharel Cotton followed suit with a pair of scoreless innings. Seasoned veteran Brad Peacock (W, 4-2) got the win, closing the door with two innings of perfect pitching. 

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Wichita 7, Tulsa 4
Box Score

A flurry of runs in the first half of the game and a rock-solid outing from starting pitcher Aaron Rozek led the Surge to a dominant win on Sunday afternoon in Kansas. 

Even though he didn't get the win, Rozek held command for four innings, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out two and walking one. Sunday was Rozek's first start for Wichita after being promoted from High-A Cedar Rapids. Congrats to the Burnsville, Minnesota native on a very nice Double-A debut!

Wichita got the bats going in the second innings thanks to a Jair Camargo homer (7) and RBI single from Austin Martin to put the Surge 2-0.

Sabato's sac-fly wasn't his last offensive contribution on the day; the power hitter slugged a 1-2 pitch over the center field wall in the eighth inning to give the Surge a 7-4 lead that would last through the final pitch. 

KERNELS NUGGETS
Cedar Rapids 7, Wisconsin 3
Box Score

People speculated that Brooks Lee was a steal for the Minnesota Twins in the 2022 Draft. 

A few weeks into his professional career, Lee has turned speculation into reality. The Twins' top pick in this year's draft launched a two-run homer along with a single en route to a dominant victory over the Timber Rattlers. 

Seth Gray and Wander Javier also launched homers for the Kernels in Sunday afternoon's win. And while it may not have counted as a homer, the speedy Willie Joe Garry Jr. tripled to right field in the sixth inning and scored on a throwing error, touching all four bases in one play. 

Kernels' starter Jaylin Nowlin (W, 1-0) was excellent through six innings, allowing just two runs on three hits while striking out a whopping 11 hitters. That's a season-high for the Kernels and a career-best for Nowlin. Cedar Rapids was just as effective from the bullpen; Bobby Milacki, Bradley Hanner, and Ryan Shreve combined for three innings of one-run ball, allowing just three hits while striking out four and allowing zero walks. 

MUSSEL MATTERS
Palm Beach 5, Fort Myers 1
Box Score

The bats ran dry for the Mussels on Sunday against the Palm Beach Cardinals. Despite a fine outing from starting pitcher Regi Grace, Fort Myers tallied just six hits and went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position. 

Grace was solid through three, allowing just one run on two hits while striking out one and walking one. Fort Myers relievers Jackson Hicks and John Wilson both had solid outings. Hicks pitched 1 2/3 hitless innings while striking out two and Wilson was perfect through two innings, striking out one. 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Jaylin Nowlin (Cedar Rapids):  W, 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, BB, 11 K
Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Brooks Lee (Cedar Rapids): 2-5, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, K

PROSPECT SUMMARY
Here’s a look at how the Twins Daily Top 20 Twins Prospects performed:
#2 - Brooks Lee (Cedar Rapids) - 2-5, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, K
# 4 - Austin Martin (Wichita) - 2-5, 2 R, 2 RBI
# 6 - Simeon Woods-Richardson (St. Paul) - 3 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
#9 - Matt Wallner (St. Paul) - 2-5, RBI, K
#14 - Edouard Julien (Wichita) - 0-4, BB, K
#16 - Ronny Henriquez (St. Paul) - 3 IP, R, ER, BB, 3 K

 

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[D.C Twins]

Lee is easily the best person to follow in the entire organization and likely will remain so until Buck's knee heals (Miranda may beg to disagree)

[Trov]

I think it is a little early to call Lee a for sure steal, I mean it was not like he fell to end of first, like Trout did, and it is still very SSS.  Also, there is only 1 player taken ahead of him in similar situation, that being a college SS/3B.  At pick 6 was Jacob Berry, the rest of the players were pitchers or high school, so will be a long time to know if we got the better of the players.  Berry is not off to good start like Lee, but again time will tell.

That being said, I am happy with what I am seeing of Lee, and I expect his bat to move him quickly through system

[Dman]

Chris Williams just keeps on hitting.  He has a solid OBP and 23 HR's on the year.  He and Isola have some pretty good consistent numbers this year at the plate.  Palacios looks ready as well after brutal start to the year his number look pretty impressive as well. Was hoping for bit more stat wise with SWR but at least he didn't blow up completely.

Big game from Wichita and a must needed win to fend off Tulsa.  Camargo seems to be getting back into the groove which is nice to see.

Nowlin stole the show with 11 K's and 6 innings of work late in the season but Lee is still looking good and more than holding his own the high A level as well.  If he keeps this up he will be a fast mover.

I still think it is going to be interesting to see who the Twins protect in the rule V draft.

[roger]

Was reading the Strib over coffee earlier this morning.  Looking at Wichita-Cedar Rapids-Mighty Mussels, I saw that all are 60 some wins to 40 some losses.  Collectively, they were roughly 50 games over .500.  I know that winning in the minors doesn't guarantee a number of top level players will show up for the Twins a few years later, it sure is nice seeing those three win a lot of games.

Saw that Austin Martin has been hitting better since his recent return from the IL.  Is it possible that his early season struggles were injury related?  Do any of you guys with those contacts know if that was part of the reason for his struggles?

[Karbo]

SWR only going 3IP? Why, was something wrong with him? Only 50 some pitches thrown? No wonder the kids have a hard time up here. They should be getting used to pitching deep in games in the minors! How are they ever going to become studs if you don't develop them in the minors?

[jmlease1]

37 minutes ago, Karbo said:

SWR only going 3IP? Why, was something wrong with him? Only 50 some pitches thrown? No wonder the kids have a hard time up here. They should be getting used to pitching deep in games in the minors! How are they ever going to become studs if you don't develop them in the minors?

There has to be a balance on this, or every starter we have is going to be Matt Canterino, Part II. Canterino got to pitch deep into games in college, and racked up significant pitch counts the way many on this site would like, and at the same ages as SWR. Now he's having season-ending surgery and has only pitched 60 innings total in the last 2 seasons. SWR has doubled that and is still pitching this season and is healthy. This was SWR's first start in AAA, and he's only 21. Let's not ruin him like Rice may have wrecked Canterino.

Hope Austin Martin is figuring it out at the plate. Injuries are a pain for developing players, and I still haven't given up on him. I think he's got a lot of talent and I'm glad the twins haven't sold low on him.

Brooks Lee seems to be doing far in high A, and it's great to see. He's got a nice, advanced approach at the plate and should advance quickly in the organization. Love it.

[DocBauer]

Nowlin! Wow! I honestly hadn't paid attention to him when drafted. My initial reaction was "meh, probably an interesting BP option in a few years". But then I heard Seth mention him once and have been paying closer attention since. My goodness does he look interesting! Tons of velocity and K's while not being very big. Just have to wonder about his arsenal and is there makings of a true SP there.

[RJA]

7 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

Nowlin! Wow! I honestly hadn't paid attention to him when drafted. My initial reaction was "meh, probably an interesting BP option in a few years". But then I heard Seth mention him once and have been paying closer attention since. My goodness does he look interesting! Tons of velocity and K's while not being very big. Just have to wonder about his arsenal and is there makings of a true SP there.

I agree with you on this.  He is an interesting prospect.  It seems like his biggest issue is control--too many walks and command that comes and goes.  But, I am going to start paying more attention to him.  Even if he turns out to be a bullpen arm, it looks like he might be able to add value.

[MN_ExPat]

35 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

Nowlin! Wow! I honestly hadn't paid attention to him when drafted. My initial reaction was "meh, probably an interesting BP option in a few years". But then I heard Seth mention him once and have been paying closer attention since. My goodness does he look interesting! Tons of velocity and K's while not being very big. Just have to wonder about his arsenal and is there makings of a true SP there.

Very true (IMHO ).  I think the biggest thing that might hold him back would be his control.  How much he is able to harness that going forward will probably dictate how he advances through the system, but it sure is fun to watch either way. 

[weitz41]

Carlos Aguiar is having himself a nice season in Fort Meyers. Him, Emmanuel Rodriguez (injured and done for the season) and Misael Urbina all manning the OF in Fort Meyers with .850 OPS or higher. Some of the international signings are starting to show up. Nowlin had a heck of a debut! Hoping Brooks Lee keeps it rolling. I don't get the pitcher usage. Is Enlow a BP arm now?

[Major League Ready]

How often does Williams catch?  I guess what I am wondering is can he be at least a b/u catcher?  Same goes for Isola.  These guys would have value if they can at least be b/u catchers or are they 1B and emergency catcher?

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, Karbo said:

SWR only going 3IP? Why, was something wrong with him? Only 50 some pitches thrown? No wonder the kids have a hard time up here. They should be getting used to pitching deep in games in the minors! How are they ever going to become studs if you don't develop them in the minors?

He's already thrown 20 IP more than he did last year and the Saints play through the end of September, I'm guessing we could see piggybacking with he and Henriquez the rest of the way to keep them both fresh. Perhaps MLB bullpen options too.

[nicksaviking]

Man, if Lee keeps developing that power, that would just be fantastic. I liked him as a pick, but I didn't care for the projections of 10-15 HR.

So is Jaylen Nowlin one of those 'crafty' lefties who gets lower minor leaguers out because they have little experience against guys like him? Or does he actually have good movement and velocity on his pitches?

[Dman]

2 hours ago, weitz41 said:

Carlos Aguiar is having himself a nice season in Fort Meyers. Him, Emmanuel Rodriguez (injured and done for the season) and Misael Urbina all manning the OF in Fort Meyers with .850 OPS or higher. Some of the international signings are starting to show up. Nowlin had a heck of a debut! Hoping Brooks Lee keeps it rolling. I don't get the pitcher usage. Is Enlow a BP arm now?

Yeah I am wondering if it is an all International outfield at high A next year with Urbina, Aguiar and Rodriguez.  With Mercedes and Jose Rodriguez not far behind.

[Dman]

2 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

How often does Williams catch?  I guess what I am wondering is can he be at least a b/u catcher?  Same goes for Isola.  These guys would have value if they can at least be b/u catchers or are they 1B and emergency catcher?

From what I understand Williams hasn't caught much this year so he fits as emergency backup catcher option maybe like an Astudillo role?  He has mainly been 1st base and DH and keeping him healthy seems to have improved his bat's production.

I thought Seth said once that Isola was good behind the plate but someone also said he has only thrown out 1 runner in 20 some tries so not sure just how viable he is back there.  I would think he has a decent chance to stick at catcher but I don't know much other than what other people have said about his defense.

If memory serves most teams pick defense first guys in the Rule V draft. I know we lost Turner to the Reds one year via Rule V.  Not sure if an Offense first catcher with no MLB experience would be too large a risk or not.  We will know more about how the Twins feel about Isola when Rule V roles around.