Matt Wallner RF/DH MIN Wed 4/12/23 11:13 AM
Matt Wallner
RF/DH MIN
Wallner is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the White Sox.
EDGE Analysis
Following his call-up from Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday, Wallner started in three consecutive games in right field but went 0-for-7 with four strikeouts. The Twins currently have all of Royce Lewis (knee), Alex Kirilloff (wrist), Joey Gallo (intercostal), Jorge Polanco (knee) and Max Kepler (knee) on the injured list, but Wallner's poor results since his call-up may have already put him on the outside looking in for a regular role with the big club. The Twins called up second baseman Edouard Julien from Triple-A on St. Paul, and if he seizes hold of an everyday spot in the middle infield, Nick Gordon could end up playing over Wallner in the corner outfield on a regular basis.
Matt Wallner RF/DH MIN Sat 4/8/23 1:36 PM
Matt Wallner
RF/DH MIN
Wallner was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
EDGE Analysis
With both Max Kepler (knee) and Joey Gallo (side) injured, Wallner could get some playing time in the short term. While Kepler isn't expected to be on the injured list very long, Wallner could force himself into the lineup mix if he gets off to a hot start. Wallner went 6-for-20 with a home run and six RBI in five games with St. Paul prior to the call-up.
Matt Wallner RF/DH MIN Sat 3/18/23 4:24 PM
Matt Wallner
RF/DH MIN
Wallner was optioned to Triple-A Rochester by the Twins on Tuesday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
EDGE Analysis
Wallner was given a chance to win an outfield job with the Twins this spring, but he faced an uphill battle with Minnesota's outfield depth, and his .192/.276/.346 slash in 29 plate appearances in the Grapefruit League obviously didn't help. Wallner will likely be one of the first bats the Twins call on this spring if or when they need an extra outfielder.
Matt Wallner RF/DH MIN Sun 3/12/23 9:40 PM
Matt Wallner
RF/DH MIN
Wallner went 1-for-3 in Sunday's spring training loss to Detroit. He's hitting .250 with a home run and a .798 OPS in eight games this spring.
EDGE Analysis
The odds looked against Wallner starting the season in the majors at the beginning of spring training, but an injury to Nick Gordon and Alex Kirilloff's slow comeback from wrist surgery make it a possibility. Wallner made his big-league debut in 2022 and hit 27 home runs in 128 games between Double-A and Triple-A, but he needs to reduce his strikeouts after having a 38.5 strikeout percentage in 65 MLB plate appearances. He at least has an improved 25 percent strikeout rate this spring. Even if he begins the season in the minors, he'll likely get a shot with the Twins again at some point this summer.
Matt Wallner RF/DH MIN Sat 9/17/22 11:13 AM
Matt Wallner
RF/DH MIN
Wallner's contract was selected from Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday.
EDGE Analysis
Several of the Twins' outfielders are dealing with injuries, so Wallner will join the active roster after Max Kepler (wrist) was placed on the 10-day IL. Wallner has slashed .275/.409/.538 with 27 home runs, 95 RBI, 90 runs and nine stolen bases over 128 minor-league games this season. He'll start in right field and bat seventh during the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against Cleveland.
Matt Wallner RF/DH MIN Fri 9/16/22 11:20 PM
Matt Wallner
RF/DH MIN
Wallner will join the Twins this weekend in Cleveland, but it's not clear when he may be promoted to the major league roster from Triple-A, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
EDGE Analysis
Wallner is one of Minnesota's top prospects and is hitting .277 with 27 home runs and a .953 OPS combined between Double-A and Triple-A. It seems likely Wallner will be added to the major league roster Saturday since Kyle Garlick, Max Kepler and Nick Gordon are all dealing with injuries.
Matt Wallner RF/DH MIN Thu 7/14/22 2:12 PM
Matt Wallner
RF/DH MIN
Wallner will be called up to Triple-A St. Paul from Double-A Wichita after Saturday's Futures Game, Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 Saint Paul reports.
EDGE Analysis
Wallner has had a breakout season at Double-A with 21 home runs in 78 games with a 1.022 OPS. He's a little old for his level at age 24 and has a high strikeout rate (31.2 K%), so Triple-A will be a good test. If he fares well in St. Paul, he could get a trip to the majors later this summer.
Matt Wallner RF/DH MIN Tue 7/5/22 10:51 AM
Matt Wallner
RF/DH MIN
Wallner hit two home runs Monday and is hitting .278/.418/.584 with 20 home runs in 72 games for Double-A Wichita.
EDGE Analysis
Wallner, who was selected with the No. 39 overall pick in the 2019 first-year player draft, wasn't overly impressive last year at High-A (.858 OPS), but he's reached another gear at Double-A. He's walking more (18.6 BB%) and displaying increased power (.306 ISO), but he still has a high strikeout rate (32.2 K%) and is old for his level at age 24. With his surge at Double-A, he'll likely get a promotion to Triple-A soon.
Matt Wallner RF/DH MIN Tue 7/20/21 4:13 PM
Matt Wallner
RF/DH MIN
High-A Cedar Rapids reinstated Wallner (wrist) from the 7-day injured list Tuesday, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.
EDGE Analysis
The Twins were apparently comfortable enough with how Wallner looked during a recent two-game rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League to move him back to High-A. Wallner was hitting .333 with four home runs in 73 plate appearances before being placed on the IL in late May with a sprained right wrist.
Matt Wallner RF/DH MIN Tue 7/20/21 2:33 PM
Matt Wallner
RF/DH MIN
Wallner (wrist) began a rehab assignment Saturday with the Twins' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate and has gone 2-for-6 with two runs through his first two games.
EDGE Analysis
Wallner will likely play a few more games in the FCL before High-A Cedar Rapids brings him back from the 7-day injured list. The 23-year-old outfielder has been on the shelf since late May with a sprained right wrist.