Twins Minor League Hitter Of The Month - May 2018

Let’s take a look at the Top 5 hitters for the month of May, but first here are some players deserving of honorable mention.

HONORABLE MENTION

• Willians Astudillo - Rochester Red Wings - 20-75, .267/.309/.467 (.775) with three doubles and four home runs.
  
• Nick Buss - Rochester Red Wings - 17-60, .283/.317/.500 (.817) with five doubles, one triple and two home runs.
  
• Taylor Grzelakowski - Ft. Myers Miracle - 15-56, .268/.369/.464 (.834) with five doubles and two home runs.
  
• Ben Rortvedt - Cedar Rapids Kernels - 26-85, .306/.352/.435 (.787) with four doubles, two triples and one home run.
  
• Jimmy Kerrigan - Ft. Myers Miracle/Rochester Red Wings - 19-72, .264/.329/.472 (.801) with three doubles and four home runs.
  

THE TOP FIVE HITTERS

Number 5 – Cedar Rapids - SS Royce Lewis - .317/.363/.465 (.828). 32-101 with nine doubles, two home runs and 16 RBI.

The top pick from the 2017 draft, Lewis put together a second strong month. If you were to go look at his April numbers and compare them to his May numbers, they are close. His batting average and on-base percentage were about the same, but he added the extra-base hits in May. Lewis just turned 19 on Tuesday, three or four years younger than most of the pitchers in the league, but he’s more than handled himself well. Lewis takes good at-bats, and his defense has been better than most expected. Lewis should make the All-Star team and then move up to Ft. Myers.

Number 4 - Chattanooga Lookouts – OF Edgar Corcino - .276/.377/.480 (.857), 27-98 with nine doubles, one triple, three homers and 17 RBI.

Corcino has played well since joining the Twins organization before the 2015 season. The 25-year-old from Puerto Rico had a terrific month. He takes tremendous plate appearances and walks at a good clip, but he’s strong and fast and has some good pop in his bat. He also plays good defense at all three outfield positions and has a strong, accurate arm.

Number 3 – Chattanooga Lookouts/Rochester Red Wings - Nick Gordon - .314/.378/.471 (.849), 38-121 with eight doubles, one triple, three home runs and 10 RBI.

Gordon, the Twins top pick in 2014, put together yet another strong month in May despite his promotion to Triple-A. One might expect some adjustment time, but Gordon is hitting well over .300 in his half-month with the Red Wings. While he continues to add more gap-to-gap power, I still believe he could develop into a 12-15 home run guy in the big leagues too. That’s a valuable player. Will he play shortstop? We’ll see. He’s done a fine job so far this season.

Number 2 - Rochester Red Wings/Minnesota Twins – OF Jake Cave - .317/.366/.500 (.866), 33-104 with five doubles, one triple, four homers and 17 RBI.

Before the end of spring training, the Yankees put Cave on waivers, and the Twins were able to work out a trade for him (sending a pitcher from the DSL). Cave had a really strong month with the Red Wings. Consider that his May numbers include his brief stint in the big leagues and it may be even more impressive. He went just 1-for-9 with the Twins, but that one hit was a home run. Cave does a nice job in the outfield.and should see more time in the big leagues. He was a bit of a late bloomer, but a look at his stats in the upper minors the last couple of years indicate that he could be a big leaguer.

And the Twins Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Month is:

Cedar Rapids Kernels – OF Alex Kirilloff - .360/.423/.640 (1.063), 41-114 with 11 doubles, three triples, five homers and 25 RBI.

We would like to congratulate Alex Kirilloff, Twins Daily’s choice for Minor League Hitter of the Month for May 2018. Feel free to share your thoughts and ask questions.