Minor League Report: Quick Hits

Today we'll be covering just a few quick notes from the Twins minor league system, without focusing necessarily on the top 25 prospects. There's been a few bigger news stories over the past week that need to be mentioned.

Elizabethton Twins

The E-ton Twins will finally be starting their season tonight, but a horrible fatal car crash on the way to Tennessee delayed their trip a bit. The Twins players were all fine, but the driver of the other vehicle was killed in the crash. I can't imagine those young men playing a game tonight, but I hope it goes well. Of course, thoughts out to the family of the deceased. What a sad story.

Cedar Rapids Kernels

The good news coming out of CR is that we'll finally start seeing Max Kepler play, as he's joined the Kernels out of extended Spring Training. The Kernels' next game is tomorrow night, and with the addition of Kepler, the roster is now at 25 men with 2 on the DL. Also, this past week, Goodrum was activated from the DL, where he spent 7 days because of a concussion that occurred after a home-plate collision. In his first game back on Sunday, Goodrum went 3-for-4 with a double, RBI, and walk. Not a bad return. Lastly, with a win against the Quad City River Bandits last Wednesday, the Kernels secured themselves a playoff spot for this season. Congrats!

Fort Myers Miracle

This season will be the first since 2009 that the Miracle will be appearing in the Florida State League playoffs, and they clinched their appearance with a Matt Koch go-ahead home run in the 8th inning of a game against the Bradenton Marauders. This Miracle team has been very effective all season, as you recall, with some really great performances from some highly-ranked and highly-touted Twins prospects like Levi Michael and Aderlin Mejia. Tonight they'll be taking on the Palm Beach Cardinals after clinching their playoff spot.

New Britain Rock Cats

The Rock Cats team has been doing pretty well this past week, with solid performances from Miguel Sano (0-for-1 with 3 walks and 2 runs scored in Saturday's game), Tom Stuifbergen (6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 7 K, 1 BB), and Trevor May (7.2 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K). The Rock Cats will be hosting the 2013 All Star Classic at their stadium on July 10, and there will be several Rock Cats present, as we've discussed in past Minor League Update posts.

Rochester Red Wings

The Red Wings are on a nice little tear right now, winning 5 of their past 6 games. Kyle Gibson pitched again in Saturday's game, going 6 innings and giving up 6 hits as well as 3 ER and 1 walk. He did strike out 3, though, but did give up a home run. Andrew Albers had a good line in last Thursday's game -- 7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K. Offensively, the Red Wings have been improving as well, with some production from Dan Rohlfing in Friday's game (4-for-4, double, triple, RBI, run scored), and Chris Colabello in Thursday's game with his 2-for-3 effort (including a double, 3 RBI, and a run scored).

Make sure you stop back later today for tonight's Twins/White Sox matchup!