Twins minor league report: Jose Berrios, Nick Gordon, Byung Ho Park off to strong starts

The Rochester Red Wings have followed the example of their parent club and kicked off 2017 with success.

The Twins Triple-A affiliate's 4-2 start has been result of impressive early efforts from some familiar names fans could see at Target Field later this season.

Righthanded starting pitcher Jose Berrios earned the International League Pitcher of the Week honors after throwing six shutout innings with seven strikeouts, one walk and allowing just three hits in his first outing.

Byung Ho Park opened the season in Triple-A with a hot bat. He had six hits with three doubles in six games for a .375 average. He also had three RBI, two walks and four strikeouts. However, he was put on the seven-day disabled list Tuesday with a right hamstring strain.

The Twins designated Park for assignment in February and reassigned him to Rochester after spring training.

Berrios played for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic and saw limited action. If he continues to pitch well in Triple-A, it may not be long until he earns a spot in the Twins' rotation.

Here is a round-up of other notable starts from the talent in the Twins minor leagues:

Nick Gordon: The organization's No.1/No. 2 overall rated prospect has eight hits, one home run, six RBI, two walks, one stolen base and scored three runs in his first six games with Double-A Chattanooga. He is hitting .320.

Kennys Vargas: The former Twin is hitting .250 with one home run and three RBI after five games in Triple-A.

Ben Paulsen: The offseason acquisition leads Rochester with a .471 average and eight RBI through five games. He has eight hits, two doubles and three home runs, one walk, four strikeouts and scored three times.

Tyler Jay: One of the organization's top pitching prospects was put on Double-A Chattanooga's seven-day disabled list Sunday with an undisclosed injury.

Kohl Stewart: The righthanded pitcher is 0-2 in two starts with a 7.56 ERA in 8.1 innings pitched for Double-A Chatanooga.