Minor League Report (6/4): Alerick Soularie Hits For The Cycle! Wind Surge Win on Walk-off!

I think Kirilloff has done enough to get another shot with the Twins but is there room with Arraez  at 1st? I don't know.  His batting average alone should be enough to bring him back but who knows at this point.

Congrats to Prato making the jump to AA.  Well deserved IMO.  He generally is a tough out and can be a lightening rod type of player.  

Matt Wallner after an incredibly bad start has moved his season OPS into the .900 level.  He has been incredible in May and now June.  Chris Williams has been absolute money since his return with a .972 OPS.  Both of those sluggers are getting the job done as AA.

Varland doesn't seem as dominant as AA but he just keeps getting the job done and has maybe been the most consistent pitcher at AA.  You can argue Canterino but he hasn't gone starter innings.

Soularie for the cycle what a night.  I have been down on both Soularie and Sabato but both players have been awfully good the last few weeks.  Maybe this in the beginning of something good for both guys.  I sure hope so.

Keoni with a huge HR.  Adams with a big night.  but Nowlin and McMahan with the dominant K lines really put on a show.  Ft Myers is on fire right now with Dominant pitching and a tough lineup.

What a night.  Let's keep this going guys.

I think they are going to need his bat,  but bringing up Kirilloff will make for an odd roster.  Who gets sent down? Where does he play?  Miranda's recent play makes you want to keep his right handed bat,  at least for now.   I like AK forcing the issue tho. 

It looks like Kirilloff has his swing back and is producing the power he needs to be an effective hitter again. I would think they could find a spot for him on the MLB squad, seeing as how the offense has been so erratic. Arraez playing 1B isn't really a problem: one of them can shift into the DH role, and frankly Kirilloff is a more natural 1B anyways.

Wallner continues to roll. If he has a June like his May he's going to be pushing for a promotion. I wonder if there was anything behind his awful start? (nagging injury he played through? significant adjustment made by him & the coaching staff?) He's mashing it right now, for sure.

The Twins might be a tad light on elite prospects, but their depth and progress this year is incredible. Both the 2019 and 2021 drafts appear to be very strong groups.  Heck even Cavaco and Holland are beginning to flash.  
 

Right now I wait for this article to pop up more than anything else to see which players had a great game the previous night. Both the pitching and bats seem to be doing well.  

9 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Kirilloff's numbers are very good. He has a .348 BA and .992 OPS. It looks like he's too good for AAA, but the question is whether his wrist is healed to the point that he can swing freely. 

He's slugging .533 with 9 XBH out of 32 hits. I think he's at least figured his wrist out to a point he can swing effectively again. What I find even more incredible is that he's walked 18 times to only 16 SOs as well at AAA. With him seeing the ball this well we need to get him back up ASAP. Maybe after we get back state-side??

Count me among those who are thrilled with how AK has been hitting of late.  Agree it is time to bring him back to Target Field.  Only problem is who goes down and where does he play?  I personally like how Arraez is progressing at first, although AK is likely still the better defensive first baseman.  If Garlick goes on the IL, could replace him.  Only thing is he is another left handed bat.  And this problem is going to get worse when Sano comes off the IL, whenever that will be as he will need a lengthy rehab stint.  Certainly looks to me that the Twins need to trade someone or even two guys over the next 30-45 days to get more relief pitching and solve this logjam.

Also noticed recently that we were seeing Soularie getting more hits and multi-hit games.  Same with Cavaco.  Maybe both can take that next step and get going on that long climb to the BIGS.

Looking at all these very solid starting pitchers down on the farm makes me wonder.  Can just one of these guys turn into the next Joe Nathan or Glen Perkins?  Yes Duran can be a top closer.  But the best teams need at least three top of the line late inning relievers.

11 hours ago, Dman said:

Congrats to Prato making the jump to AA.  Well deserved IMO.  He generally is a tough out and can be a lightening rod type of player.  

I second this. I've only seen a few of his games, but he has done something special every time I've tuned in.

2 hours ago, roger said:

Count me among those who are thrilled with how AK has been hitting of late.  Agree it is time to bring him back to Target Field.  Only problem is who goes down and where does he play?  I personally like how Arraez is progressing at first, although AK is likely still the better defensive first baseman.  If Garlick goes on the IL, could replace him.  Only thing is he is another left handed bat.  And this problem is going to get worse when Sano comes off the IL, whenever that will be as he will need a lengthy rehab stint.  Certainly looks to me that the Twins need to trade someone or even two guys over the next 30-45 days to get more relief pitching and solve this logjam.

Also noticed recently that we were seeing Soularie getting more hits and multi-hit games.  Same with Cavaco.  Maybe both can take that next step and get going on that long climb to the BIGS.

Looking at all these very solid starting pitchers down on the farm makes me wonder.  Can just one of these guys turn into the next Joe Nathan or Glen Perkins?  Yes Duran can be a top closer.  But the best teams need at least three top of the line late inning relievers.

 

Now problem swapping out Kirilloff for Miranda. Let Miranda get back in the groove in St. Paul, playing mostly third base (and a few reps at first). I expect Miranda to be a third baseman for out future.

If necessary, you can rotate Alex and Luis at first and DH. Or let Alex play the occasional outfield game. 

Remember, the Twins will have to be up a batter come late June when pitching staffs are held to a 13 count.

The odd man may still be Lewis. If you feel he needs to play everyday (andd at shortstop), do it is St. Paul. If we didn't do that dang "other position" experiment, he would be playing his future position, shortstop, right now for the Twins for another 10 days.

As much as I want Lewis on the team, he also hasn't played for two seasons, folks.

Re: Sano. He has probably played himself off the Minnesota Twins. He will have to rehab somewhere and unless he performs above and beyond, he would probably end up being designated for assignment and anotehr team could pick him up. Will have to wait and see. But no way is he coming back in 2023 unless he does come back and hits a homer a day and keeps the strikeouts away.

I was worried that one of the "pair of upper-level outfielders exploded at the plate" was going to be Cave. ?

Fear the steer is off to a okay start at AAA ,,, he's always hit at every level  so I expect it just takes some adjusting to the new league  and he will start raking again ....

Love to follow the minor league updates and see the prospects  doing well  .....

I also agree with other posts that we have a logjam at positions and need to trade somebody for better pitching  or lose them  in the rule 5 .....

2 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

With how poor the Saints starters have been, it’s hard to understand why those big three pitching prospects are still in Witchita. I mean if Sands, Gonzalez and Rodriguez are STILL the best emergency starters sitting in St. Paul, I think you need to re-evaluate.

I think Woods-Richardson should be a candidate to be promoted very soon... I would think about preparing Canterino for a bullpen role, and I'd keep Varland at AA.

6 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Fear the steer is off to a okay start at AAA ,,, he's always hit at every level  so I expect it just takes some adjusting to the new league  and he will start raking again ....

Love to follow the minor league updates and see the prospects  doing well  .....

I also agree with other posts that we have a logjam at positions and need to trade somebody for better pitching  or lose them  in the rule 5 .....

You need to post of your confidence in Steer more often.  3 HRs and a walk today.   OPS is 985.  He must be reading TD and gaining confidence.

Emmanuel Rodriguez is intriguing, only 19 y.o. and appears to have ++ plate discipline for any age.  Anyone see him play?  The only video I can find of him is a scrawny 5'10" kid with a very quick bat, but Milb, BRef and everything else I can find lists him at 210# and playing all three OF positions.  Anyone put some eyeballs on him?

9 hours ago, Rosterman said:

Let Miranda get back in the groove in St. Paul, playing mostly third base (and a few reps at first). I expect Miranda to be a third baseman for out future.

Miranda has been in a groove in the big leagues for the past 2 weeks. He's hit .333/.358/.778. Why would you want to demote him?