Minnesota Twins Minor League Stars of the Week

This week we go into the Minnesota Twins minor league organization to find the shining talent that we name the Minor League Stars of the Week.  Read on to see who we have named for this week's stars and take a moment to answer the poll and comment on any other players you feel that should have been named.

• Cedar Rapids Kernels (A - Low) - Randy LeBlanc (P) - Our star for the Kernels this week is Randy LeBlanc, starting pitcher for Cedar Rapids.  LeBlanc has had a nice start to the season for the Kernels in 2016, going 2-2 with a 1.50 ERA in four starts.  Randy is also sporting a .197 batting average against along with a 16 SO/5 BB ratio.  For this past week, LeBlanc had one start, getting the win for the Kernels.  Randy pitched six innings in the contest, scattering four hits while striking out four and allowing just one walk.  With his continued performance at this rate, he has a good chance to be at Fort Myers by the end of 2016.
• Fort Myers Miracle (A - High) - Stephen Gonsalves (P) - This week's star from the Fort Myers Miracle is Stephen Gonsalves, starting pitcher for the Miracle.  Gonsalves has come out of the gates in outstanding fashion for Fort Myers in 2016, posting a 2-1 record along with a 1.44 ERA.  Combine those numbers with his .141 batting average against and 24 SO/6 BB ratio and Stephen is showing why he is rated as high as he is in the Minnesota Twins organization.  In his lone start last week, Gonsalves recorded the win for the Miracle with a six inning performance.  Stephen struck out six batters while walking two and only allowing two hits.  Gonsalves is primed and ready to be in Chattanooga in 2016 and is going to make the Twins front office have to make some interesting decisions going into 2017.
• Chattanooga Lookouts (AA) - Daniel Palka (OF) - Our star from the Chattanooga Lookouts this week is Daniel Palka, outfielder for the Lookouts.  Palka has been the top offensive force for Chattanooga to start the 2016 season, leading the Lookouts in Batting Average, Slugging Percentage, OPS, Hits, Doubles, and Runs Batted In.  For the past week, Daniel is hitting .545 (12/22) with 5 R, 4 2B, 2 HR (including a Grand Slam), and 8 RBI.  Early on the trade made with Arizona in the offseason looks to be a good deal from the Twins side and if Palka keeps on this track, he could very well be in Rochester in 2016.
• Rochester Red Wings (AAA) - James Beresford (2B) - This week's star from the Rochester Red Wings is James Beresford, second baseman for Rochester.  Beresford has been one of the few offensive bright spots at Rochester for 2016 and has been heating up in the past 7-10 days.  Over the past seven days, James is hitting .478 (11/23) with 3 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, and 7 RBI.  It's still surprising that Beresford doesn't get a chance for a utility role with the Twins but with Danny Santana now back off of the DL, the opportunities are diminished.  The Twins like Beresford though, keeping him at the ready in Rochester and one injury at the right position could get him a chance at a utility role for the Twins.