Minnesota Twins Minor League Month in Review, June Edition

The month of June was full of promotions and demotions throughout the Minnesota Twins' minor league organization. A handful of top-10 prospects were promoted this past month, as well as other key minor leaguers.

As a whole, the Minnesota affiliates went 50-56 in the month of June; not poor enough to statistically boot any team from its respective playoff races, but not good enough for any team to pull away, either.

Here is a team-by-team breakdown of the top four minor league affiliates of the Twins.

Rochester Red Wings, Fifth in the International League (Triple A)
(13-16), 7.5 games back

The Red Wings have certainly seen better months, but they owe most of their poor performance to their major-league affiliate, who tore the team apart with many transactions. The first move, however, was a promotion of reliever Rob Delaney, who many felt was long overdue.

In his first 10 games at the Triple-A level, Delaney has posted an ERA of 5.28 in 15.1 innings pitched. He has struck out 11 while walking just six. Clearly,  not the start that was expected of him, considering his absolute dominance of the Double-A level, but most assume that he will settle down and possibly be in a Twins' uniform in 2010.

Alexi Casilla, currently in the back of manager Ron Gardenhire's doghouse, was optioned to Rochester early this past month as well. Casilla has succeeded against other International League pitchers, batting .333/.378/.419 with an OPS of 797.

He has hit just five extra-base hits in his 30 games with Rochester this year, and has struck out 17 times. Although he is bursting with talent, Casilla has been involved with numerous trade rumors and may never sport a Twins' uniform again.

Jeff Manship was also promoted recently, but has just one start under his belt. He gave up four runs on 10 hits during six innings, walking two while striking out six. Say it together, "Small sample size!"

Perhaps the most documented promotion the Red Wings made was calling Danny Valencia up from Double-A. Valencia is a top-10 Twins prospect and regarded by many as Minnesota's third baseman of the future.

In just eight games so far this year Valencia is hitting .355/.375/.613 while making contact in all but three of his plate appearances—resulting in two strikeouts and one walk. The 24-year-old is estimated to be promoted to the Twins anytime next year.

The Twins stole both Jose Mijares and Bobby Keppel from the Red Wings this month, but replaced them with the erratic Jesse Crain. Jason Pridie enjoyed a brief stint in Minnesota as Denard Span recovered from his inner ear infection.

Hitter of the Month

Steven Tolleson earns this award because of a very solid month at the plate. He posted a triple-slash line .320/.385/.443 and an OPS of .828. Power is a rare commodity in Rochester, but Tolleson is among team leaders in the slugging department.

The 25-year- old has proven that he is ready for the next level and many Twins fans would like to see him in Minnesota as soon as possible.

Pitcher of the Month

Anthony Swarzak was the best pitcher for the Rochester Red Wings this past month, and now has an ERA of 2.34 through 65.1 innings. He has a great strikeout-to-walk ratio of 43:16, but a lack of offensive support have only given him a 4-4 record. 

Swarzak has made a few appearances for the Twins this year while Glen Perkins was on the disabled list. At the big-league level Swarzak was 2-2 with a 3.90 ERA, 18 strikeouts, and 10 walks.

As a whole, the Red Wings are struggling both at the plate and on the mound. Rochester has just one batter in double-digits in home runs; Justin Huber. 

Anthony Swarzak and Bobby Keppel have been great anchors in both the rotation and the bullpen, but holes in other places are preventing the Red Wings from pulling