Welcome back to another Minor League Monday. The St. Paul Saints had a bit of a disappointing week, finishing 2-4. However, the Wichita Wind Surge played great, and many players were deserving of making this week’s Top Performers list. The top prospects for the Cedar Rapids Kernels and Fort Myers Mighty had themselves another good week.

So, let’s get to it.

Top Performers:

AAA

Devin Smeltzer, SP
1 Game, 0-1, 5.0 IP, 3.60 ERA, 1 BB, 8 SO

• Devin Smeltzer will likely pitch another game for the Twins this season, but his path isn’t as clear as it once was. There are a lot of starters and relievers knocking on the door, but if he continues to pitch the way he has, then Minnesota will have to take a hard look at him.

AA

Spencer Steer, #10, SS
6 Games, .409 (9/22), 6 RBI, 8 BB, 3 SO

• Spencer Steer changed his game last season, and it’s been a tremendous development. He’s never been known for being a power hitter, but last season he belted 24. While he’s only hit one this season, there’s no denying his skill set at the plate. On April 22, the former Oregon Duck collected four base hits.

Michael Helman, 2B
6 Games, .348 (8/23), 2 HR, 8 RBI, 4 BB, 4 SO, 2 SB

• I’ve been a huge fan of Michael Helman for quite some time now. He’s a good contact hitter with power and speed. Last season he hit .246, but he finished the year nicely.

Matt Canterino, #8, SP
2 Games, 6.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 2 BB, 9 SO

• Matt Canterino will be at Triple-A by the end of this season and could even make his MLB debut this year. He’s dealt with some injuries in the past, but if he stays healthy, he’ll have a good career.

Tyler Viza, RHP
2 Games, 2-0, 3.2 IP, 2.45 ERA, 3 H, 1 BB, 9 SO

• Tyler Viza made the list last week, and he’s found himself here again. The 27-year-old has been a strikeout machine, putting away 19 in 10.1 IP.

High-A

Christian Encarnacion-Strand, #29, SS
6 Games, .400 BA (10/25), 3 RBI, 9 SO

• Christian Encarnacion-Strand is an absolute hitter, and he’ll find himself at Double-A by the end of the season if he continues to play the way he has. He’s hitting .426 (61 ABs), with five home runs and 23 runs batted in.

Cade Povich, #27, SP
1 Games, 4.2 IP, 2.25 ERA, 5 H, 1 BB, 9 SO

• The Minnesota Twins’ third-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft is DEALING. This season he owns a 0.93 ERA in two starts. The Former Nebraska Cornhusker is a strikeout machine and pitches with good command.

Bradley Hanner, RHP
2 Games, 2-0, 3.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 SO

• Bradley Hanner had himself a week, picking up two wins for the Kernels. If he can improve his walk-to-strikeout rate, he’ll have a lot more success. Last season he recorded 49 Ks and 34 BBs.

Low-A

Marco Raya, #26, SP
1 Game, 1-0, 6.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1 H, 0 BB, 10 SO

• Marco Raya is a player to keep an eye on, as he could easily find himself getting fast-tracked through the Twins’ system. In two starts, he’s given up just one walk and has struck out 14.

Steve Hajjar, #21, SP
1 Game, 4.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0 H, 2 BB, 10 SO

• After giving up four earned runs in his minor league debut, Steve Hajjar bounced back in a big way. The Twins’ 2021 second-round pick out of Michigan is another name to keep an eye on.

John Stankiewicz, SP
1 Game, 5.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1 H, 2 BB, 9 SO

• John Stankiewicz is a name you might not be familiar with, but he’s been one of the more successful pitchers in the Twins’ system. The 23-year-old is 3-0, with an ERA of 2.18 in 41.1 innings pitched.

Top Prospects

Royce Lewis, #1, SS
6 Games, .190 BA (4/21), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 5 BB, 5 SO

Austin Martin, #2, SS
6 Games, .292 BA (7/24), 2 RBI, 5 BB, 4 SO, 2 SB

Jose Miranda, #3, 3B
6 Games, .250 BA (6/24), 2 RBI, 3 BB, 2 SO

Simeon Woods-Richardson, #7, SP
1 Game, 6.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 2 H, 6 SO

Noah Miller, #9, SS
6 Games, .238 (5/21), 5 BB, 6 SO, 3 SB

Matt Wallner, #11, RF
4 Games, .143 BA (2/14), 5 RBI, 3 BB, 7 SO, 1 SB

Ronny Henriquez, #14, SP
1 Game, 3.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0 H, 1 BB, 4 SO

Louie Varland, #15, SP
1 Game, 0-1, 5.0 IP, 4 H, 5.40 ERA, 2 BB, 4 SO, 3 HR

Aaron Sabato, #16, 1B
4 Games, .250 BA (3/12), 4 RBI, 4 BB, 4 SO

Cole Sands, #17, SP
1 Games, 0-1, 1.0 IP, 12.86 ERA, 4 H, 2 BB, 0 SO, 2 HR

Emmanuel Rodriguez, #18, OF
6 Games, .150 BA (4/20), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 4 BB,11 SO, 1 SB

Drew Strotman, #19, SP
1 Game, 1.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0 H, 1 BB

Keoni Cavaco, #23, SS
2 Games, .000 BA (0/8), 1 RBI, 1 BB, 3 SO

Jovani Moran, #24, LHP
2 Games, 3.1 IP, 2.70 ERA, 3 H, 2 BB, 6 SO

Alerick Soularie, #25, 2B
4 Games, .214 BA (3/14), 7 SO

Casey Legumina, #30, SP
1 Game, 4.2 IP, 3.86 ERA, 5 H, 1 BB, 3 SO