Minor League Report: 11 to 25

When I agreed to do the second half of the Minor League Report this week, I naturally forgot to ask Jessica what her cut off for her "week" was. Also naturally, I write at ungodly hours so she was asleep like a normal person when I wrote this last night. My "week" was Monday, May 20 to Sunday, May 26. Her week is slightly different. Still - you get a good sense of what these guys have been up to lately. Enjoy!

11) Joe Benson (AA) - Benson was placed on waivers to make room for P.J. Walters on the 40-man roster last week, and was subsequently claimed by the Texas Rangers. The Rangers have optioned Benson to Double-A Frisco. For the Rough Riders, Benson has homered in each of his three games and probably feels he has something to prove. Which he does, and to be fair it's probably something he felt for the Triple-A Red Wings this season, too. His final line for the Twins' Triple-A affiliate this season is a miserable .192/.256/.285 in 42 games and 151 at-bats. It's hard to see talent not live up to its potential, and while you always wish the best for a guy you also hope it's a decision that doesn't come back to bite you in the ass. Right now it doesn't feel like it will.

12) J.T. Chargois (R) - Chargois is listed as a member of the Elizabethton Twins, who have not yet begun their season.

13) Jorge Polanco (A) - In Polanco's five games this week he was 5-for-22 (.227) with a home run, two doubles, two walks and a strikeout. On Saturday he was 3-for-5 with both doubles, which helped make up for what had been a pretty lackluster week.

14) Travis Harrison (A) - Harrison showed a surprising knack for taking a walk last week, going 5-for-13 (.347) with five walks, three strikeouts, a home run and a double. Those five walks came in a four-game stretch, and amount for a full one third of his walk totals in 2013. Are the Twins trying to get him to improve his game? If so, he's clearly making an effort. In 49 games for the Cedar Rapids Colonels, Harrison is batting .275/.351/.503. At some point this season, if he keeps hitting the way he is and considering he's just 20-years old, people will start to notice.

15) Danny Santana (AA) - In six games last week, Santana was 11-for-25 (.440) with two doubles, a triple, one stolen base in one attempt, five strikeouts and zero walks. Big weeks like this are amazing, and his batting average for the season is currently .290, but being willing to take a few more walks would go a long way. His on-base percentage is just .304. On the season, the 22-year old shortstop has struck out 36 times and taken just eight free passes.

16) Mason Melotakis (A) In his one start last week, Melotakis allowed five runs off of seven hits in 5.1 innings, striking out four and walking three. Former Class-A affiliate Beloit had a day. In nine starts this season, Melotakis has a 3.69 ERA in 46.1 innings, having struck out 40 and walked 20.

17) Luke Bard (R) - Bard, like Chargois, is listed on the roster of the Elizabethton Twins and, as such, has not yet pitched in a game this season.

18) Hudson Boyd (A) - Boyd made one start last week, and it wasn't pretty. The Colonels were in Beloit, and just like they did against Melotakis the Snappers lit him up - Boyd was good for for seven runs (including three homers) in 5.1 innings. He's allowed at least four earned runs in five of his last seven starts, is walking way too many batters, and on the season owns a 6.15 ERA in nine starts. There's work to be done.

19) Michael Tonkin (AA) - Three relief appearances covering 3.2 innings yielded more strong results for a guy we thought might be the best relief prospect in the system. Tonkin struck out five, didn't walk anyone, and allowed just two hits and no runs. In 24.1 innings this season, Tonkin's ERA is an impressive 2.22. He's struck out 30, walked eight, and has also allowed less than a hit per inning (including no home runs). He's getting more ground balls than ever this year, with 59% of his balls in play burning grass.

20) Niko Goodrum (A) - The 21-year old Goodrum played in just three games last week, going 3-for-14 (.214) with a triple, five RBI, one walk, one strikeout, and one stolen base in one attempt. Goodrum is another guy who is in the middle of a down period, but his numbers on the season are reason for optimism: .263/.380/.388.

21) Chris Herrmann (MLB) - Leading up to his recall over the weekend, Herrmann had been 5-for-14 (.357) in five games, taking three walks and striking out twice. No doubt he'll return to Rochester at some point this season, where he currently owns a .238/.311/.285 triple slash in 151 at-bats. So far for the Twins he's 1-for-3 with a run batted in.

22) Alex Wimmers (AA) - Wimmers is still on the 7-day disabled list and hasn't pitched yet in 2013.

23) D.J. Baxendale (AA) - Baxendale was recently called up to the New Britain Rock Cats, hopefully leaving Fort Myers behind for good. In nine starts for the Advanced-A Miracle, Baxendale struck out 48, walked 11, and allowed 34 hits in 57.1 innings. He also allowed just two home runs (in spite of a pedestrian 34% ground ball rate) en route to a fantastic 1.10 ERA. Hitters managed just a .208 batting average on balls in play. Baxendale has made one start for New Britain, but that will be included in next week's report!

24) Levi Michael (A+) - Michael continues his efforts to inch those numbers up, and last week was 7-for-22 (.318) with two doubles, four walks, four strikeouts, and one stolen base in as many attempts. Even though he still isn't hitting for any power, Michael has been trending slowly upward and hopefully this week is a sign of continuing good things to come. In 28 games his triple slash still needs work: .223/.296/.357.

25) Adam Walker (A) - In the middle of a rough stretch, Walker was just 4-for-15 (.267) with no extra-base hits, four strikeouts, a walk, and two runs batted in. His 2-for-4 performance last Friday gave him both of his RBI. In spite of his struggles Walker is still hitting .275/.326/.545, and his ten home runs remain among the best in the organization.