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Minnesota Twins 3 Up, 3 Down: Mitch Garver continues to stay hot

By Chris Schad

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 12: Dee Gordon #9 of the Seattle Mariners slides safely past Mitch Garver #18 of the Minnesota Twins during the tenth inning of the game on June 12, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Mariners defeated the Twins 9-6 in ten innings. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 12: Dee Gordon #9 of the Seattle Mariners slides safely past Mitch Garver #18 of the Minnesota Twins during the tenth inning of the game on June 12, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Mariners defeated the Twins 9-6 in ten innings. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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ST. PETERSBURG, FL – MAY 31: Willians Astudillo #64 of the Minnesota Twins rounds third base in the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on May 31, 2019 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – MAY 31: Willians Astudillo #64 of the Minnesota Twins rounds third base in the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on May 31, 2019 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) /

UP: Willians Astudillo

Sometimes when a player gets sent down to the minor leagues, they start to get down on themselves and perform even worse at the Triple-A level. While that may be the case for some, that has not been the case for Willians Astudillo.

The Twins catcher was sent down prior to the series finale in Detroit last week, but has responded by tearing the cover off the ball at Triple-A Rochester. In six games with the Red Wings, Astudillo has gone 15-for-26 (.600) with three home runs and nine RBI. What’s even more insane is his .960 slugging percentage which means he’s averaging nearly a base every time he steps up to the plate.

Yes, this is an extremely small sample size, but one that is also encouraging considering Astudillo’s struggles at the plate before being sent down. It’s clear that “La Tortuga” wants to get back to the Twins as soon as possible, but there may not be room with a bullpen that has struggled and a catching situation that features the red hot Garver and Jason Castro.

Regardless, Astudillo’s versatility could lead him back to Minnesota if the Twins see an injury and it appears that when that call comes, the 27-year old will be ready for another opportunity.

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