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Here are my picks for Minnesota Twins minor league award winners and all-stars, featuring Minnesotans Matt Wallner and Louie Varland. View full video

The trade deadline really heated up for the Twins, and it was exciting to say the least. The front office did not hold back getting pitching that the team so desperately needed. All season fans have been clamoring and hoping that Tyler Mahle would be available and on Tuesday that’s exactly what he was, giving the Twins an opportunity to make a trade. Jon Heyman was the first to report that the Twins had acquired RHP Tyler Mahle from Cincinnati for three top prospects, infielders Spencer Steer and Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and starting pitching prospect Steve Hajjar. The 6’3 210 pound right-handed pitcher has been a solid starter with the Cincinnati Reds. In his most-recent game, three days ago, he recorded his fifth win of the season. He pitched six innings and had seven strikeouts, just two days after coming off the IL. While he had to go on the IL due to shoulder issues right before the All-Star break. He made two starts before the deadline and his medicals must have been to the Twins' liking. Mahle is 27 years old and is under team control through the 2023 season. In 2022, he's 5-7 with a 4.40 ERA, 3.60 FIP, 1.25 WHIP and 114 strikeouts in 104 1/3 innings. He was 13-6 with a 3.75 ERA and 210 strikeouts in 180 innings last season and has resembled a mid-rotation workhorse for the last three seasons or so. Mahle was the lone starting pitcher added by the Twins at the deadline. They also added two, late-inning relievers at the deadline. What did the Twins give up? The Twins gave up three top-20 prospects to make the trade happen. Spencer Steer, a St. Paul favorite, will be a great asset to the Reds and is likely to be called up sooner than he would if he stayed with the Twins. He hit .269/.361/.528 with 20 home runs and just a 17.0 K% in 388 plate appearances between Double-A and Triple-A. He is a very nice prospect, but as a third baseman. he is currently blocked by the likes of Jose Miranda, Gio Urshela and others. Steer has seen time at third base, second base, and even shortstop this season. Christian Encarnacion-Strand is a huge bat on the Wichita team. He was named the Midwest League's Hitter of the Month in two of the three months he was with Cedar Rapids. Overall, he hit .302/.374/.612 with 25 home runs and a 33.1 percent hard-hit rate in 390 plate appearances between High-A and Double-A. He is only 22-years-old and has seen time at third base, first base and designated hitter this season. The 2021 fifth-round draft pick's best position defensively is DH. Steven Hajjar is the only pitcher sent in the package to Cincinnati. Hajjar is a young left-handed pitcher. He was the Twins second-round draft pick in 2021 out of Michigan. He has spent this season with the Ft. Myers Mighty Mussels where he has posted some outstanding numbers. Through 12 starts, he has logged a 2.47 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 71:22 K:BB in 43 2/3 innings. He has been limited by a couple of stints in the Injured List this year. His potential to move up in the Reds system looks good and could potentially start at High-A. The Twins front office has been making stealthy deadline-day moves and keeping fans on their toes. Do you think the Twins have made the right moves? What do you think of giving up three top-25 prospects for Mahle? View full article

In July, Twins fans watched Byron Buxton and Luis Arraez get elected to the All-Star team, Spencer Steer and Matt Wallner’s representation at the All-Star Futures Game, and too many bad outings by Twins relievers, and starters. However, the minor-league hitters did not disappoint as they continued to dazzle fans with brilliant offensive performances across the organization. Here are the top performers of the month. Previous Hitters of the Month: April: Christian Encarnacion-Strand May: Spencer Steer June: Matt Wallner July: Keep Reading Honorable Mention III: Miguel Sanó; St. Paul Saints & FCL Twins Yes, that Miguel Sano. The one you know and perhaps love. Contrary to popular belief, he does count as a Minor League hitter this month, considering he spent almost the entire month of July in an extended rehab assignment in St. Paul. Prior to his move to the 60-Day IL earlier this week, Sanó seemed ready for his return to the big stage, batting .348/.423/.826 (1.249). Although Sanó struck out 10 times in his 23 at-bats in St. Paul, he put his power on display through three home runs and two doubles. He displayed similar numbers as an FCL Twin, hitting two homers in five games. It's likely that Sanó took his last at-bat as a Twin this month, so let's end this one on a sentimental and much happier note. Honorable Mention II: Yunior Severino; Cedar Rapids Kernels This 22-year-old former Braves prospect didn’t crack the top 20 of our Top Prospects Ranking but his performance did not go unnoticed in July. Severino led the Kernels in home runs with seven and RBI with 23, while batting .303/.446/.682 (1.128). Severino also took a page out of the aforementioned Arraez’ book, drawing almost as many walks than strikeouts (13 BB, 17 SO). As a bonus, he also contributed two doubles and one triple this month. There is no hotter player on the Kernels than Severino. If he can stay healthy, keep your eyes on this switch hitter as another prospect to watch. Honorable Mention I: Chris Williams; Wichita Wind Surge In the year of the long ball, no one did it better this July than catcher Chris Williams. Williams is another non-ranked prospect who had a career month. He led the Wind Surge in homers by hitting 11 in 23 games. Although offense often plays second fiddle to defense for catchers, Williams has defied the norm, hitting .306/.423/.729 (1.152) throughout the month. With the Twins’ need for catching depth, we could see Williams in the big leagues sooner than many other prospects if he can continue producing at this rate offensively. Minor League Hitter of the Month: Christian Encarnacion-Strand; Cedar Rapids Kernels, Wichita Wind Surge Alexa, play a sad song for us as we walk through this one. Although Christian Encarnacion-Strand was promoted mid-month from the Kernels to the Wichita Wind Surge, his hot streak moved with him across the country. This is a repeat win for Encarnacion-Strand, who was also our Minor League Hitter of the Month in April. Encarnacion-Strand’s performances for both teams didn’t go unseen. He was included this week in the Tyler Mahle trade with the Reds. The Twins will be missing out on his raw power and incredible talent and ability to get on base. In Cedar Rapids, Encarnacion-Strand batted .320/.452/.800 with one stolen base. He also drew five walks and hit three home runs in seven games. The 22-year-old was also the Kernels’ OPS leader this month prior to his promotion. As mentioned, his offensive prowess did not stop there. In fact, Encarnacion-Strand somehow surpassed his previous performance after his promotion. In his fourth game with Wichita, Encarnacion-Strand became the first player in Wind Surge history to hit for the cycle. In his 12 games in Wichita, Encarnacion-Strand batted .327/.375/.692 (1.067) with five home runs, besting even his previous performance in Cedar Rapids. According to CBS News, he has been at least 60% better than the average hitter in wRC+ in every league he has ever played in, further marking the loss in prospect depth with his departure. He will be joined by another former Hitter of the Month, Spencer Steer, and Steven Hajjar in the Reds organization. This top prospect will be missed greatly. Share your thoughts on the Hitter of the Month as well as the Honorable Mentions. Who was missed? How would your ranking go for top hitters in July? View full article

The Minnesota Twins got back in the win column Saturday, beating San Diego 7-4. Sonny Gray pitched well, albeit briefly. Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa both homered and Jose Miranda put together an impressive at-bat to deliver an insurance run. In the minors, Cole Sands had a strong start for the Saints, Edouard Julien and Christian Encarnacion-Strand powered the Wind Surge while Yunior Severino stayed hot for the Kernels. All that and more in tonight's Twins System Recap. View full video

Tim Beckham walked it off for the Saints and the Kernels just kept winning in Thursday's Minor League action! TRANSACTIONS Cedar Rapids Kernels place RHP John Stankiewicz on 7-day IL RHP Travis Adams promoted to Cedar Rapids Kernels SAINTS SENTINEL Saints 5, Cubs 4 Box Score Tim Beckham continues to crush Triple-A pitching, walking off the Iowa Cubs Thursday night. Beckham, now hitting .416 with a 1.070 OPS for the Saints, singled home Spencer Steer on a grounder up the middle to ice the game. The Saints trailed all night despite a José Godoy homer and a one-run rally in the sixth. Brandon Bishop's RBI groundout pulled the Saints within one, and Jermaine Palacios tied the game on a solo homer in the eighth. Steer, Jake Cave, Beckham, and Palacios all recorded multi-hit games. Palacios went 3-for-4 with the game-tying swing, Cave went 2-for-4 with a double, Steer went 2-for-5, and Beckham added two hits, including the game winner. It was an impressive night from the top of the lineup. Ronny Henriquez was excellent in relief, pitching four scoreless innings with four strikeouts. Henriquez owns a 3.11 ERA with 29 strikeouts over his last 26 innings. The Saints are 45-49. WIND SURGE WISDOM Wind Surge 10, Naturals 2 Box Score The Wind Surge put on a power clinic in their 10-2 win over the Naturals Thursday. Trailing 2-0 early, Andrew Bechtold put the Surge on the board with a solo shot in the second. One inning later, Christian Encarnacion-Strand hit a majestic three-run homer to center, giving the Surge a 4-2 lead. Kyle Schmidt singled home a run in the sixth before Chris Williams drove in another on a walk. Edouard Julien hit his 10th homer of the season, a three-run blast in the seventh. Julien entered Thursday hitting .310/.440/.563 with five doubles, a triple, and five homers over his last 16 games. The Surge weren't done yet. DaShawn Keirsey Jr. singled in a run in the eighth, completing the eight-run rout. Sawyer Gipson-Long was absolutely terrific on the mound, going seven innings and allowing only two runs. Gipson-Long struck out six and walked none. It was his longest (and arguably best) outing of the year. The Wind Surge improved to 49-43 with the victory. KERNELS NUGGETS Kernels 6, Timber Rattlers 2 Box Score The Kernels improved to 23 games over .500 with another win Thursday. They drew eight walks, including three from the leadoff man Kyler Fedko. Wander Javier drove in two on a single in the first, and Will Holland followed it up with a ground-rule double, scoring Pat Winkel. The Kernels were up 4-0 before Aaron Rozek took the mound. Rozek, a Minnesota native, and Minnesota State-Mankato alum, gave up two runs on three walks and six hits. Rozek struck out six and passed the game off to Bradley Hanner, who picked up the win with 2 1/3 scoreless innings. Bobby Milacki added two scoreless innings, dropping his ERA to 2.08 on the season. Yunior Severino, already hitting .321/.457/.661 in July, kept it rolling with a solo homer in the eighth. Severino has six homers this month and a .937 OPS on the season. The Kernels are a sterling 58-35. MUSSEL MATTERS Mussels 3, Tarpons 5 Box Score The Mighty Mussels suffered a tough loss Thursday to the Tampa Tarpons. Marco Raya started and threw five strong innings, allowing two runs on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts. The Mussels had trouble scoring all night, trailing 2-0 until a two-run eighth tied the game. Misael Urbina got the Mussels on the board with a sacrifice fly, and Noah Miller followed it up with one of his own. With the score tied 2-2 in the top of the ninth, the Tarpons got a big swing from Kyle Battle, who blasted a three-run homer to take a 5-2 lead. The Mussels battled in the bottom of the inning, but could only muster one more run on an RBI single from Daniel Ozoria. The Mussels posted seven hits, including a double from Kala'i Rosario, his 15th of the season. Urbina and Luis Báez each stole a bag in the loss. The Mussels are back in action Friday with Steve Hajjar toeing in the rubber. The Mussels have lost four in a row to the Tarpons but still boast a 51-38 record. COMPLEX CHRONICLES FCL Twins 0, FCL Braves 6 Box Score The FCL Twins were shutout by the FCL Braves Thursday, mustering only three hits. Develson Aria started for the Twins and gave them three solid innings. He gave up one run on a solo homer and struck out one. The Twins' offense went 3-for-30 with 10 strikeouts. The Twins' lone extra-base hit was a double from Ricardo Olivar, his 10th of the season. The Braves scored three unearned runs on two Twins errors. It wasn't a pretty day, but there's always tomorrow. The Twins will host the FCL Red Sox Friday. DOMINICAN DAILIES DID NOT PLAY Here’s a look at how the current Twins Daily Top-20 performed: #6 Spencer Steer (St. Paul) - 2-for-5, R #8 - Noah Miller (Ft. Myers) - 0-for-2, BB, RBI #9 Marco Raya (Ft. Myers) - 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R/ER, 2 BB, 2 K #12 Matt Wallner (St. Paul) - 0-for-4, 3 K #14 Ronny Henriquez (St.Paul) - 4 IP, 5 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 4 K #15 Edouard Julien (Wichita) - 1-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, BB #16 Christian Encarnacion-Strand (Wichita) - 1-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, BB #20 Sawyer Gipson-Long (Wichita) - 7 IP, 4 H, 2 R/ER, 0 BB, 6 K FRIDAY'S PROBABLE STARTERS - A Loaded Slate! Iowa @ St. Paul (7:07PM CST) - Jordan Balazovic NW Arkansas @ Wichita (7:05PM CST) - Louie Varland Cedar Rapids @ Wisconsin (6:40PM CST) - Cade Povich Tampa @ Fort Myers (6:00PM CST) - Steve Hajjar Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Thursday’s games! It sure is exciting to have all four Twins full-season affiliates and the two Complex Season affiliates back and playing. View full article

The Minnesota Twins were off Thursday but there was still plenty of action to cover in the minor leagues. For the Saints, Jermaine Palacios hit a big game-tying homer before Tim Beckham provided a walk-off single. Ronny Henriquez pitched four shutout innings out of the bullpen and topped out at 100 mph. Wichita had a blowout victory led by homers from Andrew Bechtold, Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Edouard Julien. Sawyer Gipson-Long had a quality start for the Turbo Tubs tonight. Yunior Severino hit another home run and has an OPS north of 1.100 so far in July for the Kernels. That and more in tonight's Twins System Recap. View full video

Ahead of the draft, which starts on Sunday night, let's check in with the Twins 2021 draft to see how last year's draft class is shaking out. 2022 Prospect PreviewToo often, as the draft approaches, we focus on the first-round pick and nothing else. That’s a mistake we’re doomed to repeat over and over again. It’s also true retrospectively, and it clouds our analysis and judgment. For example, thinking about the 2020 draft, folks immediately think about Aaron Sabato and less about Marco Raya. With that in mind ahead of draft kickoff on Sunday night, let’s check in with the Minnesota Twins draft class of 2021. It’s shaping up to be incredibly impressive. Round 1: Chase Petty, RHP (A-Ball) Petty was an exciting pick for the Twins, bucking a trend of not selecting prep pitchers in early rounds. A 102 mph fastball also added to the excitement (let’s hope they stick with the high-velocity trend). Petty was traded in the off-season to the Reds for Sonny Gray. So far in 2022, Petty has struck out 58 in 61 innings of work to go along with a 3.39 ERA in A ball, a solid start for a 19-year-old. (2022 Prospect Preview) (Preseason #9 Prospect) Competitive Balance A: Noah Miller, SS (Fort Myers) Miller is still just 19 and has spent all of 2022 at Fort Myers. A legitimate shortstop prospect, he has the defensive chops, movement, and range to stay at the position long-term. While Miller’s hitting is still a work in progress (.238 average) he has incredible strike zone control and has worked 50 walks in 73 games in 2022 (.365 OBP). Patience is key with Miller, but things are ticking over nicely in Fort Myers. (2022 Prospect Preview) (Sire of Ft. Myers Consideration) 2: Steven Hajjar, LHP (Fort Myers) The first of a pair of talented left-handed starters drafted by the Twins, Hajjar has battled injuries in 2022 but has been completely dominant when on the mound. Despite walks being an issue (23 in 37 innings), Hajjar has struck out 61 batters and limited opposing offenses to a .160 batting average. (2022 Prospect Preview) 3: Cade Povich, LHP (Cedar Rapids) Povich is another exciting talent from the early rounds of the 2021 draft that is proving abundant for the organization. Povich has a 3.62 ERA at Cedar Rapids in 69 2/3 innings of work in 2022. He’s also managed an eye-popping 97 strikeouts in that time. Povich has added velocity as he has filled out and has a ton more projectability in his frame. He’s one to watch for the Twins. (2022 Prospect Preview) (Twins Spotlight Interview) 4: Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 1B/3B (Wichita) Encarnacion Strand is another incredible success story in 2022, with a Jose Miranda-like breakout. He’s already crushed 26 home runs in his first 98 minor league games across three levels. After putting up a .370 OBP at Cedar Rapids he was promoted to Wichita. In his second Double-A game on Friday night, he clobbered two home runs. In 76 games this season across two levels, he’s managed a .616 SLG, 22 home runs, and 74 RBIs. Based purely on performance, Encarnacion-Strand would be a first-round pick in a redraft of 2021 selections. 5: Christian MacLeod, LHP (Rookie Ball) MacLeod has pitched just 1 2/3 innings so far in his pro career. His career with the Twins is yet to get off the ground because he had Tommy John surgery during spring training. 6: Travis Adams, RHP (Fort Myers) Adams has been in the rotation for Fort Myers all season, accumulating 14 starts. He’s pitched well overall, striking out 64 batters in 64 2/3 innings to go along with a 3.62 ERA and pinpoint control (15 walks). 7: Jake Rucker, 3B (Cedar Rapids) A 22-year-old third baseman, Rucker has played at two levels in 2022, recently being promoted to Cedar Rapids. In his first 12 games in Iowa, he has a .367 OBP. 8: Noah Cardenas, C (Fort Myers) The Twins eighth-round pick out of UCLA has been at Fort Myers all season after getting his feet wet in rookie ball at the end of 2021. Cardenas has shown excellent strike zone control, racking up 50 walks in 63 games, contributing to a gaudy .409 OBP. 9: Pat Winkel, C (Cedar Rapids) A college teammate of Kyler Fedko, Winkel is currently at Cedar Rapids. His season was delayed by almost two months on the Injured List. The Twins 9th round pick has a .726 OPS through his first 25 games at High A. 10: Ernie Yake, SS (St. Paul) Yake has played at four levels in 2022, mostly to plug holes for other promotions. He began the season in Ft. Myers but was called up to St. Paul when needed. He then spent time in Wichita. Currently, he is rehabbing in the FCL. Speaks to the confidence the organization has in his makeup, and his defense. 11: Brandon Birdsell, RHP (did not sign) Birdsell was a pitcher who fell in the draft due to injury concerns and opted to return to school at Texas Tech. He struck out 106 in 85 innings of work in college in 2022 and promises to be a top 150 pick this July. 12: Kyler Fedko, OF (Cedar Rapids) An outfielder selected out of UConn, Fedko lit up Fort Myers early in the 2022 season to the tune of a .422 OBP through 26 games. He was promoted to Cedar Rapids, where the on-base numbers still look good (.340). (Three Questions With... Interview) 13: David Festa, RHP (Cedar Rapids) Festa is one of the greatest early success stories of the 2021 draft. A weekend starter for Seton Hall, he checks in at 6’6, 185 pounds (so plenty of projectability left). Festa struck out 33 batters in just 24 innings at Fort Myers, sporting a 1.50 ERA. He was the starter in the Mussels first no-hitter of the season. After being promoted to Cedar Rapids, he’s kept at it. In 48-plus innings at High A, he has a 1.86 ERA with 51 punch outs. Festa sports an upper 90s fastball and is a rising star in the Twins system. (2022 Prospect Preview) (Twins Spotlight Interview) 14: Pierson Ohl, RHP (Fort Myers) Ohl was a pitcher Seth interviewed and we wrote up prior to the 2022 season. Drafted as a control pitcher, Ohl has put up impressive strikeout numbers so far at Fort Myers. In 55 innings, he’s struck out 65 batters. His great challenge is lower velocity. He’s surrendering a .282 batting average against in his 12 starts so far this season. (2022 Prospect Preview) (Twins Spotlight Interview) 15: Mikey Perez, SS (Fort Myers) The 22-year-old infielder already has 240 at-bats at Fort Myers in 2022. He’s hitting .222/.327/.396 through 70 games so far this season. 16: Jonathan Lavallee, RHP Lavallee has pitched very limited innings in 2022. After starting at rookie ball, he was moved up to Fort Myers. The 22-year-old is yet to give up a run in five innings of work in A ball, striking out six batters. 17: Dylan Neuse, SS (Cedar Rapids) An older prospect at 23, Neuse started the season at Fort Myers but was moved up to Cedar Rapids. He’s struggled in his first 26 games with the bat, hitting just .198, but is on base plenty (.343). His brother Sheldon plays for the Oakland A's. 18: Mike Paredes, RHP (Fort Myers) A 21-year-old right-handed pitcher, Paredes is at Fort Myers in 2022. In 54 plus innings pitched this season, he surrendered just a 2.15 ERA, striking out 44, and walking just 10. His highlight may be throwing the first six innings of one of the Mighty Mussels no-hitters. 19: Jaylen Nowlin, LHP (Fort Myers) Nowlin is a developmental arm to watch. Pitching for Fort Myers, largely in a starting role in 2022, he’s racked up 68 strikeouts in just 41.2 innings pitched. Walks have been a problem (25 so far in 2022), but he’s giving up a .226 average to opposing hitters. Keep an eye out for his development. 20: Dillon Tatum, C (Fort Myers) The 22 year old catcher drafted out of UC-Irvine is currently at Fort Myers. In 145 at-bats, he’s hitting just .166 with five home runs. He has also been the catcher for both of the Mussels no-hitters this season. How do you think the Twins 2021 draft class is shaping up? Who are the prospects you are most excited about? View full article

The Minnesota Twins fell to the White Sox, allowing Chicago to get back to .500. It was a game that felt a little too familiar ... Down in the minors Chris Williams hit two home runs for the second straight game and Christian Encarnacion-Strand thought it looked like fun, so he decided to mash two taters himself. Also highlighted tonight are Aaron Sabato, Kody Funderburk and Sean Mooney. View full video

The Minnesota Twins fell into a huge hole early as Sonny Gray got roughed up by the White Sox Thursday at Target Field. We take a look at Matt Wallner and Christian Encarnacion-Strand in their new digs, as they were both promoted today. Also featured in tonight's video are Jordan Balazovic, Miguel Sanó, Chris Williams and David Festa. View full video

Holy smokes, Jose Miranda! The Minnesota Twins beat the Brewers 4-1 thanks to a walk-off home run Miranda hit off Josh Hader. Down in the minors, Matt Wallner and Christian Encarnacion-Strand were at it again, each of them posting big offensive numbers for their respective teams. All that and more in tonight's Twins System Recap. View full video

Rain impacted the games in both Minneapolis and St. Paul tonight but there was still plenty to highlight across the Minnesota Twins system. Cade Povich struck out 10 batters over six shutout innings, DaShawn Keirsey Jr. had a five-hit night including four doubles and Andrew Bechtold blasted another walk-off home run for Wichita. All that and more in tonight's system recap. View full video

The Minnesota Twins prevailed in Texas, winning 6-5 to end their road trip on a positive note, going 3-3. Down in the minors, Matt Wallner hit a leadoff home run for Wichita and appears to be on his way to another blisteringly hot month. Christian Encarnacion-Strand also homered for Cedar Rapids and topped it off with a pretty epic bat flip. That and more in today's system recap. View full video