It’s Minor League Monday! The Minnesota Twins would have liked to see more out of their minor league affiliates, but some of the top prospects performed at a high level once again. The St. Paul Saints’ top two prospects once again played well, and Matt Wallner has caught fire for the Wichita Wind Surge.

The Cedar Rapids Kernels have been the Twins’ hottest minor league team because of their starting pitching and a few hitters who have been unstoppable. Unfortunately, the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels week was cut short, as four games were postponed, including their May 1 game that was stopped in the 11th inning.

For this report, the Low-A team will not be featured because of the shortened week. So, without further ado, let’s get into it.

Top Performers:

AAA

Royce Lewis, #1, SS
5 Games, .438 BA (7/16), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 6 BB, 3 SO, 2 SB

• Much like Jose Miranda last season, Royce Lewis has dominated Minor League Mondays this year. The Twins’ former No. 1 overall pick will be playing in the majors soon. He’s displaying great contact, power and speed on the base paths.

Jose Miranda, #3, 3B
5 Games, .333 BA (6/18), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SO

• Miranda has gotten off to a cold start, but he’s picked it up as of late. On April 15, he was hitting .194, but since then, he’s brought his average up to .256. He’s also on a six-game hitting streak and is showing everyone why he’s one of the best players in the Twins’ system.

AA

Matt Wallner, #11, RF
6 Games, .368 BA (7/19), 3 HR, 5 RBI, 5 BB, 8 SO

• After a disappointing start to the season, Wallner has raised his batting average from .071 to .188. Minnesota’s No. 11 prospect has caught fire and enjoyed a 3-for-4 night, including two home runs on April 30.

Louie Varland, #15, SP
1 Game, 1-0, 5.1 IP, 3 H, 0.00 ERA, 1 BB, 4 SO

• Louie Varland might be the player I’m most excited about in the Twins’ system. He’s been fun to watch and will have a successful MLB career. Hitters are currently hitting .182 off him in 20.2 innings pitched.

Evan Sisk, LHP
2 Games, 2-0, 3.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 2 H, 3 BB, 5 SO

• Evan Sisk was a player the Twins acquired in the J.A. Happ trade last season, and he’s been a positive addition since joining Minnesota’s farm system. In 13 games at Double-A in 2021, he finished 1-1 with an ERA of 4.87. This season in seven games, he’s been great and is yet to give up a run.

High-A

Christian Encarnacion-Strand, #29, SS
6 Games, .300 BA (6/20), 1 RBI, 6 BB, 4 SO

• How can you not get excited about Christian Encarnacion-Strand? At the moment, he may be the Twins’ best minor league hitter. He has the best batting average of any player in the system, and he’s hitting it out of the park on top of that. This season he’s batting .395, with five home runs and 24 RBIs.

Sean Mooney, SP
1 Game, 0.00 ERA, 5 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 8 SO

• Sean Mooney has flown under the radar, but the righty has been great. He’s struck out 17 in 13 innings pitched and holds a 2.08 ERA.

Casey Legumina, #30, SP
1 Games, 5.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1 H, 1 BB, 8 SO

• Let’s congratulate Casey Legumina on making the Twins’ top 30 prospect list. The 24-year-old made the list after Joe Ryan was no longer qualified. Legumina is struggling this season, but his most recent start is hopefully a step in the right direction.

Top Prospects

Austin Martin, #2, SS
4 Games, .176 BA (3/17), 2 RBI, 2 BB, 4 SO, 3 SB

Simeon Woods-Richardson, #7, SP
1 Games, 1-0, 5.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 2 H, 3 BB, 4 SO

Matt Canterino, #8, RHP
1 Game, 3.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1 BB, 4 SO

Noah Miller, #9, SS
2 Games, .167 (1/6), 1 BB, 2 SO

Spencer Steer, #10, SS
5 Games, .238 (5/21), 1 RBI, 1 BB, 2 SO

Ronny Henriquez, #14, SP
1 Game, 0-1, 2.2 IP, 13.50 ERA, 3 H, 4 BB, 1 SO

Aaron Sabato, #16, 1B
6 Games, .095 BA (2/21), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 4 BB, 8 SO

Emmanuel Rodriguez, #18, OF
3 Games, .111 BA (1/9), 2 BB, 5 SO

Drew Strotman, #19, SP
2 Games, 3.0 IP, 21.00 ERA, 3 H, 6 BB, 2 SO

Steve Hajjar, #21, SP
1 Game, 0-1, 4.0 IP, 7 H, 4.50 ERA, 2 BB, 5 SO

Chris Vallimont, #22, SP
2 Games, 0-1 7.1 IP, 11.05 ERA, 13 H, 6 BB, 9 SO

Keoni Cavaco, #23, SS
2 Games, .125 BA (1/8), 1 RBI, 3 SO

Jovani Moran, #24, LHP
1 Game, 1.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1 H, 2 SO

Alerick Soularie, #25, 2B
4 Games, .154 BA (2/13), 1 RBI, 2 BB, 5 SO

Cade Povich, #27, SP
1 Game, 0-1, 4.1 IP, 12.46 ERA, 8 H, 2 BB, 6 SO, 2 HR