The MiLB at Field of Dreams game is back in Dyersville, Iowa, and this one comes loaded.
On Aug. 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Triple-A St.
Paul Saints and Iowa Cubs will meet at the iconic “Field of Dreams” movie set, with MLB Network carrying the game live. Paul Severino, Dan Plesac, Sande Charles and MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis will be on the call.
It’s the second time an MiLB game has ever been played there, and the first in four years, coming two days before the Phillies and Twins play in the MLB at Field of Dreams game.
The Saints arrive with one of the most talent-packed rosters in the Twins’ system. They have 11 of the organization’s Top 30 prospects, and the center of it all is a trio that can really impact the game with the bat: Walker Jenkins, Kaelen Culpepper and Emmanuel Rodriguez.
Jenkins, the No. 5 overall pick in 2023 and MLB’s No. 14 prospect, looks like the kind of player who can do a little bit of everything. The 6-foot-3 outfielder has 60-grade power, a 60-grade hit tool and plus speed, and the production backs up the profile.
He’s walked nearly as often as he’s struck out, with 32 BB and 38 K, and his left-handed swing keeps finding the barrel. He’s also the type who can turn a game in the field, whether he’s running down a deep drive or throwing out a runner with his 60-grade arm.
Culpepper and Rodriguez give St. Paul even more punch.
Culpepper, MLB’s No. 29 prospect, was one of three Twins prospects to post a 20/20 season in 2025, and he’s on pace to do it again with 14 homers and 17 stolen bases through 73 games. His short right-handed stroke keeps the line moving.
Rodriguez, MLB’s No. 53 prospect, is rehabbing from left thumb surgery and is expected to be back in Triple-A for the Iowa trip. When healthy, he brings big bat speed, extra-base pop from the left side and enough arm strength to keep runners honest in the outfield.
The Saints’ top-10 prospect group also includes offensive-minded outfielders Gabriel Gonzalez, the Twins’ No. 7 prospect, and Hendry Mendez, the Twins’ No. 8 prospect.
Iowa can match that talent with its own prospect-heavy roster. The Cubs affiliate has current and former top prospects all over the place, and right-hander Jaxon Wiggins could get the ball. Chicago’s top pitching prospect has a fastball that reaches 101 mph and carries serious arm-side run, with a curveball, slider and changeup that can all flash.
Behind the plate, the likely starter is Owen Ayers, the Cubs’ No. 2 prospect. A 19th-round pick in 2024 who was once viewed as organizational depth, the switch-hitting catcher has taken off.
He put up a 1.130 OPS in 20 Arizona Fall League games last season, then climbed from High-A to Triple-A in 2026 while hitting 23 homers, tied for the most among Minor League catchers. He also went 3-for-3 in his first game with Iowa.
BJ Murray, Chicago’s No. 25 prospect, rounds out the group of notable names. He was the only Cubs farmhand to reach the 20/20 mark in 2025 and is hitting .300/.407/.497 through 98 games as a switch-hitter with a polished approach and real pop.
Iowa also has Kevin Alcántara, who spent multiple seasons among MLB’s elite prospects and still looks like a future big league threat. “The Jaguar” has hit 17 home runs in 61 Triple-A games.
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Now the Twins are left with a far less comfortable problem: keeping one of their best hitters in place while two of their most heralded prospects wait for a path. Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez are both still in Triple-A even though the organization views them as ready for the major leagues, and the lack of obvious playing time in Minnesota is part of what makes Larnachs status such a tricky one. The front office can like what it is getting from him and still feel the squeeze of what his emergence means for the next wave. [Read more 🡒]
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The Saints power surge only adds to the intrigue, with the club leading pro baseball in home runs and pushing toward the Triple-A playoffs. Cardenas has said his teammates support helped fuel the turnaround, and his recent stretch gives the Twins another name to track if they need catching help down the line. What remains to be seen is whether this improved bat is the start of a real breakout or just a hot run at exactly the right time. [Read more 🡒]
Twins Fans Should Be Concerned About This Byron Buxton Update
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There is at least another health-related wrinkle on the roster with right-hander Zebby Matthews, whose recent start was affected by a right foot blister that tore and worsened as the outing went on. The encouraging part for Minnesota is that Matthews is not dealing with anything more serious, but the Twins are still waiting on clearer progress from Buxton, and that is the update with the bigger implications for how the club handles the days ahead. [Read more 🡒]