Minor League Report (5/30): Twins system sweeps the day

 TRANSACTIONS

• C Ben Rortvedt called up to Minnesota Twins (from St. Paul)
• RHP Ryan Shreve called up to Cedar Rapids (from Ft. Myers)
• RHP Jonathan Cheshire to Cedar Rapids (from Wichita)

SAINTS SENTINEL

St. Paul 7, Iowa 3

Box Score

The Saints wrapped up their 6-game sweep of the I-Cubs and won their seventh game in a row Sunday afternoon.

Bailey Ober started on the mound for St. Paul and was dominant the first time through the order. He struck out the first six batters he faced and had opponents looking foolish with his curveball.

However, his command dropped off precipitously in the third and fourth innings which resulted in him surrendering four hits - three of them doubles - two walks and three runs. 

Ober’s fastball sat in the 91-93 mph range, a continuation of what he displayed during his start with the Minnesota Twins as well as what he reportedly achieved at the alternate site last summer. It would appear as if this increase in velocity is legitimate and not just the result of increased adrenaline while pitching at Target Field.

An Ober with a 93 mph fastball is a rather compelling prospect, much more so than one that tops out at 89 mph.

At the plate, JT Riddle led the charge with two home runs and four RBI. Brent Rooker - who upped his OPS to .836 - and Ryan Jeffers also hit a ball over the fence.

WIND SURGE WISDOM

Wichita 6, Springfield 5

Box Score

A run apiece in the bottom of the seventh and eight innings pushed the Wind Surge past the Cardinals. Jermaine Palacios hit a game-tying home run in the 8th inning and David Banuelos scored the winning run on a wild pitch. 

Jovani Moran and Ryan Mason combined to pitch five innings in relief and struck out four while not allowing a single run; Mason was credited with the win.

Jermaine Palacios went 2-for-4 and contributed his fourth homer of the year. Gilberto Celestino, Jose Miranda and David Bañuelos - all of whom hit doubles - added two hits apiece.

Miranda has been one of the more promising Twins’ hitting prospects this spring as he is slashing .319/.389/.564 with six home runs and five doubles. He’s also appeared at second, third and first base and performed well at all positions. While he is likely best suited at second or third in the long run, his defensive versatility as well as his power potential makes him a valuable prospect in the Twins’ system.

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 10, Wisconsin 2

Box Score

One day after nearly being no-hit twice, the Kernel bats exploded in their rout of the Timber Rattlers.

Cedar Rapids hit two grand slams - one apiece from Wander Javier and Michael Helman - marking the first time the franchise has accomplished the feat since the 2018 season when two little known prospects named Royce Lewis and Alex Kirilloff did so in a win over Beloit.

“Never,” Helman said when asked if he had ever played in a game before in which his team hit two grand slams. “I think that’s a rarity.”

“I was just trying to get something in the air and in the outfield knowing there’s baseloaded and one out. I just happened to catch the jetstream up there,” Helman said of his grand slam.

Helman (4) and Javier (5) combined to drive in the team’s nine total RBIs. 

However, not only did the bats perform well, but the pitching staff did as well. Ben Gross, Owen Griffith and Melvi Acosta combined to strikeout 13 batters and issue only one free base during the win.

“When you strike out a bunch of guys and only walk one, that’s a good job by the pitching staff,” Cedar Rapids manager Brian Dinkelman told Twins Daily.

MUSSEL MATTERS

Ft. Myers 2, Lakeland 0

Box Score

The Mighty Mussels lived up to their name on Saturday, shutting out the Flying Tigers en route to pulling off the victory.

Hunter McMahon started on the bump and struckout seven across five scoreless innings. Steven Cruz and Bradley Hanner each pitched two innings in relief and didn’t allow a single baserunner.

Misael Urbina connected for a double and a triple and drove in the team’s lone RBI. 

Keoni Cavaco returned to action after missing the last week due to a shoulder injury he sustained while swinging the bat last Sunday; he went hitless in four plate appearances.

Aaron Sabato sat out his first game of the season as part of a scheduled day off.

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Pitcher of the Day- Hunter McMahon: 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 71 pitches

Co-Hitters of the Day- Wander Javier: 2-for-4, GS (1), 5 RBI; JT Riddle: 2-for-5, 2 HR (3), 4 RBI

PROSPECT SUMMARY

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

#1 - Alex Kirilloff (Minnesota) – 3-for-4, BB, K

#2 - Royce Lewis (Rehab) - Out for Season (torn ACL)

#3 - Trevor Larnach (Minnesota) – 0-for-2, RBI, BB, K

#4 - Ryan Jeffers (St. Paul) – 1-for-3, RBI, BB, 2 K

#5 - Jhoan Duran (St. Paul) – Did not pitch

#6 - Jordan Balazovic (Wichita) – Injured List (back)

#7 - Keoni Cavaco (Ft. Myers) – 0-for-4, K

#8 - Aaron Sabato (Ft. Myers) – Did not play

#9 - Matt Canterino (Cedar Rapids) – Did not pitch

#10 - Blayne Enlow (Cedar Rapids) – Injured list (elbow)

#11 - Gilberto Celestino (Wichita) – 2-for-5, 2B, RBI, 2 K

#12 - Brent Rooker (St. Paul) – 2-for-5, HR (5), RBI, K

#13 - Matt Wallner (Cedar Rapids) – Injured list (wrist)

#14 - Misael Urbina (Ft. Myers) – 2-for-4, 2B, 3B, RBI

#15 - Cole Sands (Wichita) – Did not pitch

#16 - Edwar Colina (Rehab) - 60-Day IL (elbow)

#17 - Ben Rortvedt (Minnesota) – 1-for-3, HR (1), RBI, K

#18 - Alerick Soularie (Complex) – N/A

#19 - Jose Miranda (Wichita) – 2-for-4, 2B, BB

#20 - Bailey Ober (St. Paul) – 4 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 8 K, 79 pitches

TUESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

All levels to be determined.

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