Pitching wins, but only if the hitters score enough runs in that game. There were quite a few hitters that started their seasons strong. Let’s take a look at the Top 5 hitters of the month, but first here are some players deserving of honorable mention.
HONORABLE MENTION
- Edgar Corcino - Chattanooga - 25 G, 28-88, .318/.382/.409 (.791) with five doubles, one homer, 21 RBI.
- Jaylin Davis - Cedar Rapids - 29 G, 29-113, .257/.294/.531 (.825) with seven doubles, eight homers, 18 RBI.
- Zander Wiel - Ft. Myers - 25 G, 25-94, .266/.337/.489 (.826) with five doubles, two triples, four homers and 12 RBI.
THE TOP FIVE HITTERS
Number 5 – Cedar Rapids - Christian Cavaness - .278/.338/.528 (.865). 20-72 with five doubles, two triples, three home runs and 15 RBI.
Cavaness signed as a non-drafted free agent after a very successful season at NAIA Lindenwood University in Belleville, Illinois. He split 2016 between Elizabethton and Cedar Rapids. He began this season with the Kernels and played sparingly in April.
And then the calendar turned to May. And he started hitting, and Tommy Watkins rewarded him with more and more playing time. He delivered at the bottom of the Kernels order by getting on base and hitting for some power. He can play center field fine. He certainly has the range. But he’s been mostly playing left field and doing a very nice job.
Number 4 – Chattanooga – SS Nick Gordon - .294/.374/.532 (.906). 32-109 with 11 doubles, three triples, three home runs and 12 RBI.
Gordon was the Twins first pick in the 2014 draft, and he has continued to progress nicely as he’s moved up a level a year. After a very strong showing last year in the Arizona Fall League, Gordon earned an invitation to major league spring training. He told me shortly after he was sent to minor league camp that he was feeling all kinds of confidence due to the opportunities in Arizona and at spring training.
He’s been leading off most every game for the Lookouts. He’s been doing a nice job all season, and remained consistent through May. He has started to walk more, showing a much better knowledge or the strike zone. He’s also increased his power this year in terms of doubles and home runs. There continue to be mixed reports on his defense, though most think he can be a major league shortstop.
Number 3 - Chattanooga – OF LaMonte Wade - .318/.456/.432 (.888) 28-88 with four doubles, two homers and 14 RBI
Wade had a tough first ten games in Chattanooga, but he quickly adapted to the Southern League and has been very good since. He is doing the things that made him such an intriguing prospect. He began walking more than he strikes out. He has a plan going into every plate appearance, and no one in the system knows the strike zone better.
Wade was the Twins ninth-round pick in 2015 out of Maryland where he missed a large chunk of his junior season with injury, which probably pushed him down a few rounds in the draft.
Number 2 - Ft. Myers – 3B Chris Paul - .383/.459/.585 (1.044), 36-94 with 11 doubles, one triple, two homers and 20 RBI.
Chris Paul was the Twins fifth-round draft pick out of Cal-Berkeley. He had spent a couple of summers playing for the St. Cloud Rox. He began 2016 season in Cedar Rapids though he moved up to the Miracle within the first month due to injuries higher up the ladder. He struggled and his season came to an end early due to his own injury.
He’s been one of the better hitters in the Twins organization through the first two months of the season.He was good in April, but he was very good in May. He hit for average. He got on base almost 50% of the time, and he hit a bunch of doubles. He had a walk-off, three-run homer and a few days later had a walk-off single for the Miracle. Unfortunately, he ended the month on the disabled list.
And the Twins Minor League Hitter of the Month is:
Cedar Rapids – 1B Lewin Diaz - .327/.361/.627 (989), 36-110 with 13 doubles, one triple, six homers and 23 RBI.
Lewin Diaz signed with the Twins way back in 2013 for $1.4 million of the Dominican Republic. After a year in the DSL, he moved up to the GCL in 2015. Last year, he was the Twins Daily short-season Minor League Hitter of the Year for his efforts in Elizabethton. This year, he made the move to full season and has done a very nice job for the Kernels.
At 6-5 and roughly 250 pounds, he can be an intimidating batter in the middle of the Kernels lineup. He’s got plenty of room for improvement, but he’s more than held his own, and he’s starting to show even more power than maybe expected. His 20 doubles lead the Twins minor leagues right now. He’s in the Top 3 in home runs and RBI. He’s got some work to do around first base, though he is fairly athletic and smooth around the bag.
Congratulations to the May Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Month for 2017, Cedar Rapids first baseman Lewin Diaz.
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