The Minnesota Twins have played inspired baseball in June. With the return of Royce ‘Superman’ Lewis and the resurgence of shortstop Carlos Correa, the team has reeled off 10 victories in their past 15 games. Lewis has been otherworldly, launching nine home runs and driving in 13 runs already this month. And Correa has been no slouch either, hitting four round-trippers and accounting for 17 RBIs during the month.
But Minnesota knows that if they have any chance of catching the suddenly offensive Cleveland Indians, they will need some help from down on the farm. Here is a review of some players you will soon see in a Twins uniform
Saintly Prospect
The Triple-A St. Paul Saints are the Twins’ main conduit for homegrown talent. If a player makes the team’s roster, you can bet he spent a little time east on I-94 at the Saints’ CHS Field. Twins infielder Brooks Lee is an example of one of these fast-rising talents.
The Twins considered Lee an absolute steal when they selected him with the eighth overall pick of the 2022 MLB Amateur Draft. After signing with the team, he produced a slash line of .303/.389/.451 playing for three different minor league franchises. And he followed that up with a 2023 slash line of .275/.347/.461 while adding 16 homers and 84 RBIs between Double-A Wichita and the Saints.
Lee would be with the big club if not for a herniated disk that kept him out of action for the first two months of the season. As it stands, Lee is just one call-up away from joining the Twins, where he will become their everyday second baseman. This will free Willi Castro to continue being the ace utility man for the team.
Twins Have a Smoker
The Twins drafted right-handed pitcher David Festa in the 13th round of the amateur draft out of Seton Hall University. After a couple of appearances that year, he had a breakout year in 2022, going 9-4, with a 2.43 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 103 2/3 innings pitching in A ball. Splitting time between Wichita and St. Paul in 2023, he struck out 119 batters in 103 1/3 innings. Due to his performance at Wichita, he was named to the American League squad for the 2023 Futures Game.
He’s also increased the speed of his fastball, pitching for the Saints in 2024. For the year, he has 87 strikeouts in 59 2/3 innings. He has two 10-strikeout games already this season, and his fastball has been timed at 98 mph. It is only a matter of time before the Twins call for this fireballer.
When Will the Prodigal Son Return?
Matt Wallner was on top of the world last season. Called up by the Twins in mid-season, he finished the season with 14 home runs and 41 RBIs and was one of the big reasons the team made it to the AL Division Series. He was primed for a similar performance in 2024 when, all of a sudden, the wheels came off the buggy. Wallner started the season in a horrific slump that only seemed to get worse as the season progressed.
Finally, after hitting only one homer and batting a measly .080, the Twins mercifully sent Wallner down for retooling. He looked lost at the plate, and it was hoped that a diet of AAA pitching would give him the confidence he needed to return to the majors.
And after a slow start, Wallner has been tearing the cover off the ball in June. In 18 games this month, he has 11 taters and 25 runs batted in. He has a .400 on-base percentage and a 1,190 OPS. With those numbers and the Twins’ dirge of left-handed hitters, Wallner will be making a return visit to Target Field real soon.
About the Author
Greg Simbeck is an experienced writer, editor, and content manager who covers a variety of sports for Total Apex Sports. He specializes in MLB coverage. Greg has covered various sports for numerous other publications over the years.
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