Minnesota Twins: Minor League Report 5/15 to 5/21
The Minnesota Twins lower level minor league teams showcased their offense last week while the higher levels struggled to produce the same results.
Last week the Minnesota Twins minor league system put on a power show while the pitching had a few bright spots. Jose Berrios has shown he has a place in the MLB, so it is time to find the next Twins prospect.
The Twins also have the top pick in this years First Year Player Draft to add to their prospect pool. All signs point to a pitcher joining the Twins minor league system and they would welcome a power arm. Stephen Gonsalves just returned from injury and Kohl Stewart hasn’t lived up to the number four pick quite yet.
Both Single-A teams climbed the standings after solid weeks and continue to get production from the middle of their line-ups. If these prospects continue to show this production they will see themselves rising through the minors.
Rochester Red Wings (Triple-A, 2-5)
The Red Wings had a rough week and didn’t get much help from their pitchers. They faced off against the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders. This week we spotlight Daniel Palka and Kyle Gibson.
Daniel Palka – Palka continues to power the Red Wings lineup with two more home runs last week to bring his total to seven on the season. Last week he hit .266 (8/30) with six runs, two doubles and five RBIs. He also raised his average from .230 to .243.
Daniel Palka with his 7th HR of the season in the 1st inning. He's hitting .307 w/ 2 HR, 2B, 5 RBI in the series.
— Rochester Red Wings (@RocRedWings) May 18, 2017
BUT, it's 7⃣ - 1⃣ 🐷's pic.twitter.com/L4gyqG0M10
Kyle Gibson – Kyle has struggled at the major league level this season but dominated in his last start in Triple-A. He pitched 6.1 innings in a 1-0 loss where he had ten strikeouts. Hopefully he can bring that level of play to the Twins as they search for their fifth starter.
Honorable Mention
J.B. Shuck – He hit .333 (7/21) with three runs and three doubles along with two RBIs. It was a solid stretch for Shuck who has struggled so far at Triple-A.
Aaron Slegers – Slegers had another solid start as he went 8.1 innings allowing just one run and scattering five hits in one of two wins for the Red Wings last week. He may get a chance with the Twins this year if he continues to have these outings.
Chattanooga Lookouts (Double-A, 2-5)
The Lookouts had a tough week only getting two wins but had a few bright spots. They had series against the Birmingham Barons and the Biloxi Shuckers. Randy LeBlanc and Nick Gordon highlight the Lookouts this week.
Nick Gordon – The Lookouts struggled to score runs this week but Gordon led the team with five runs, three doubles, two triples and one home run. He also stole a base and had three RBIs from the lead-off spot. Nick is the Twins shortstop of the future.
Randy LeBlanc – LeBlanc led the Lookouts to their first win last week pitching six innings while scattering seven hits and giving up zero runs. This was a bright spot for Randy this season as his ERA is still 4.50 after getting called up to Double-A earlier this season.
Honorable Mentions
Edgar Corcino – He led the Lookouts with seven hits and a .368 (7/19) average. Corcino also had five RBIs and raised his season average to .307.
Nik Turley – Turley earned a call-up to Rochester last week but not before putting on a show out of the bullpen for Chattanooga. In four innings of work he had nine strikeouts while allowing just one hit and no runs. He also lowered his ERA to 0.37.
Fort Myers Miracle (High-A, 6-1)
The Miracle had a stellar week with six wins in seven games against the Clearwater Threshers and the Bradenton Marauders. Last week Chris Paul and Lachlan Wells led Fort Myers.
Chris Paul – Last week Chris led the Miracle in runs (9), hits (12), doubles (5), home runs (2) and RBIs (9). When the week started he was hitting .322 but after hitting .480 last week he raised his season average to .341. He continues to lead the Miracle offense this season.
Lachlan Wells – Wells gave the bullpen a break much like Ervin Santana does for the Twins by pitching all nine innings. He gave up one run while striking out four and gaining his second win of the season.
Lachlan Wells tosses a complete game for @MiracleBaseball! https://t.co/aOXpdn7F76
— Team Australia (@TeamAusBaseball) May 18, 2017
Honorable Mention
Tanner English – Tanner went 9/25 last week with three runs, two stolen bases, one home run and seven RBIs. He also raised his season average up to .360.
Lewis Thorpe – Last week Thorpe made his season debut for the Miracle and pitched a solid four innings giving up just one run. He also struck out three while only giving up two hits.
Cedar Rapids Kernels (Low-A, 5-3)
The Kernels had a solid week thanks to some power from two members of their line-up. They had two series against the Peoria Chiefs and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Jaylin Davis and Domenick Carlini lead this weeks spotlight players.
Jaylin Davis – Davis really brought the power this week with five home runs included a three home run game. He also led the Kernels with ten runs, eleven hits, three doubles, eight RBIs and a .379 average. He was also named the Midwest League Player of the Week.
BREAKING: #MNTwins prospect Jaylin Davis hits his third HR of the game for @CRKernels. Watch LIVE: https://t.co/X6Cw7ArRsv pic.twitter.com/DZWfmTgZPw
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) May 17, 2017
Domenick Carlini – Last week Carlini got his second win on the season going six innings with four strikeouts. He gave up six hits and one solo home run for the only run given up. Domenick will look to build off of this strong start.
Honorable Mention
Jermaine Palacios – Last week Palacios batted .375 (9/24) with seven runs scored, three home runs and five RBIs. He raised his season average to .329 while batting lead-off and second for Cedar Rapids.
Tom Hackimer – The side-armer gained his fifth and sixth saves in three innings pitched last week. He continues to be the anchor for the Kernels bullpen with a 1.80 ERA.
Next: Twins: Kyle Gibson is a Quadruple-A Pitcher
In Conclusion
The Twins minor league system had a great week in the lower levels while having a couple rough weeks in Triple-A and Double-A. Minnesota will look to eventually bring these players up to help at the major league level.