Article: Twins Minor League Report (7/30): May Day Approaches

[Seth Stohs]

The Trade Deadline is at 3:00 CST today. For the farm system, this could mean promotions or additions. Trevor May put himself back in line for a promotion with a tremendous performance for the Red Wings on Wednesday while Josmil Pinto homered in the game (video below). There were also a couple of walk-offs in the Twins farm system. Unfortunately, the parent club was unable to come up with a big hit and ended up falling to the Kansas City Royals 3-2.

 

Here is the Minor League Report for Wednesday:RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 6, Lehigh Valley 8

Box Score

 

Trevor May was finally able to stretch out. In fact, he recorded more outs on Wednesday afternoon than he had in the previous five weeks combined (due to being on the DL for a month and a couple of rainouts). He needed just 77 pitches to get through 6.2 scoreless innings. He gave up five hits, walked just one and struck out five. It will be interesting to see if he gets the call up now or gets one more start (to get to 100 pitches) before that move comes.

 

When he left, the Red Wings had a 6-0 lead. Aaron Thompson got a strikeout to get out of that seventh inning. Things went downhill from there. Thompson pitched to four batters in the 8^th inning and gave up two hits and two walks. All four came around to score. Michael Tonkin allowed two of Thompson’s runners to score and was charged with another run of his own on two hits before getting out of the 8^th. AJ Achter came on for the ninth inning, trying to protect a one-run lead. He gave up three runs on four hits in the inning to take the loss.

 

Offensively, the Red Wings were led by Deibinson Romero who went 2-4 with his eighth home run. It was the 27^th straight game that he has reached base. Josmil Pinto hit his fifth home run and second in as many days. Pedro Florimon went 2-4. Doug Bernier hit his 19^th double, and Chris Rahl hit his 16^th double.

 

 

ROCK CATS REVIEW

New Britain 3, Trenton 2 (10 innings)

Box Score

 

Aaron Hicks had the Rock Cats lone hits in Tuesday night’s game. On Wednesday, he had two more hits, both doubles. Michael Gonzales went 2-4 and hit his first AA home run. Tony Thomas played left field. He had two outfield assists in this close game, including one at home plate.

 

Jason Wheeler returned to the Rock Cats rotation after a one-start stint with the Red Wings. In 6.2 innings, he gave up one run on seven hits. He walked one and struck out four. Ryan O’Rourke finished off the 7^th inning with a strikeout. Cole Johnson worked the next two innings and gave up one run on two hits. Mason Melotakis pitched a scoreless tenth frame for the save.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Ft. Myers 7, Clearwater 8

Box Score

 

The Miracle bats were shut down early, and the team got a tough start from a guy who has been one of their best starters all year. Tim Shibuya got the starting nod. He was charged with eight runs on nine hits and a walk in just three innings. He struck out two. BJ Hermsen came on and gave up a hit and a walk over three scoreless innings. Madison Boer threw two scoreless innings that were followed by a scoreless ninth inning by Tyler Jones.

 

The Miracle attempted a comeback. They scored five runs in the seventh inning and another two in the eighth but fell a run shy. Byron Buxton went 2-4 with a walk. Adam Walker went 2-5. Max Kepler knocked his 11^th double.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 3, Burlington 2 (11 innings)

Box Score

 

Ryan Walker went 3-6 in this game. His 11^th inning, walk off single gave the

Kernels a much-needed win. Michael Quesada went 2-4 with his ninth double in the game.

 

Ryan Eades put together a very solid start. He gave up two runs on four hits (2 homers) in seven innings. He walked two and struck out three. Nick Burdi came on. He gave up three hits in two innings, but no runs in part because of five strikeouts. Dallas Gallant pitched the final two innings without giving up a run. He struck out five as well for the Win.

 

E-TWINS E-NOTES

Elizabethton 1, Greeneville 5

Box Score

 

The E-Twins fell behind early and were unable to muster much offensive firepower. The team had just three hits and walked five times. Tyler Mautner hit his 11^th double.

 

Derrick Penilla started and gave up five runs on six hits and two walks in three innings. He struck out four. Sam Clay put in his best game of the season. The lefty gave up just one hit and walked one over three scoreless innings. He struck out three. Cameron Booser walked one and struck out one over two scoreless innings and struck out four. Kuo Hua Lo struck out two in a perfect inning.

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Twins 2, GCL Rays 4 (14 innings)

Box Score

 

It was a long day for the GCL Twins, and unfortunately it ended as most of their games have this season, in a loss. Zach Tillery started and gave up two runs (1 earned) on three hits over five innings. He didn’t walk any and struck out five. Mike Theofanopoulus came on and gave up just one hit over three shutout innings. He struck out four. Miles Nordgren ate up the next 5.1 innings. He gave up two runs on four hits and a walk (intentional). Nordgren left the ballgame tied but with the bases loaded. Callan Pearce came on and walked the next two batters to allow two runs to score.

 

Manuel Guzman led the offense. He went 3-5 with a walk and his second double. Joel Polanco had a walk and his fifth double. He also stole his fifth base. Amaurys Minier went 2-6.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Trevor May, Rochester Red Wings

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Ryan Walker, Cedar Rapids Kernels

 

SUNDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

Rochester @ Lehigh Valley (6:05 CST) – Sean Gilmartin

Erie @ New Britain (6:05 CST) – Tyler Duffey

Clearwater @ Ft. Myers (6:05 CST) – Matt Tomshaw (vs Aaron Nola)

Burlington @ Cedar Rapids (6:35 CST) – Chih-Wei Hu

Elizabethton @ Kingsport (6:00 CST) – TBD

GCL Twins @ GCL Rays (11:00am CST – TBD

 

Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss the Wednesday games.

 

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[Shane Wahl]

May and Pinto to the Twins, immediately.

[Steven Buhr]

Not only did the Kernels win, but that win moved them in to a first place tie with Kane County in the MWL's Western Division standings.

 

Yes, I know the team success (or lack thereof) isn't a big deal to Twins fans who are only concerned about how soon they'll see these guys in a Twins uniform, but for a writer covering the team, it's just a lot more interesting (and fun) to cover a team in a pennant race.

 

The Kernels have now won 7 straight series. Not too shabby.

[TKGuy]

CR has some exciting pitchers to watch in Burdi, Stewart, Thorpe, Gonsalves, Hu, and Gallant have all been tremendous here.  Eades, even though a 2nd Round pick has been overshadowed by these guys.  He seems to give up a lot of dingers.

 

Max Murphy finally got going after being shellshocked for a couple of games out of rookie ball. Love Mauer and Watkins as coaches also,  I can see Smith being knocked out of NB and see some movement up for minor league coaches.  Great job because besides Garver, hitting has been suspect.

[kdrupp09]

 

I don't really see how the Twins can not bring up May (especially) and Pinto.  Next time May is due to pitch, the Twins should do whatever rotation shuffling they need to do and get him up.  Obviously, he won't pitch in exactly 5 days because that would be Hughes' next turn, so do some shuffling and make sure May gets his long awaited MLB debut in the next week or so. 

 

In terms of Pinto, we may see his situation change today with the trade deadline, who knows?  Although if the Twins are going to call him up to just sit/DH, I say leave him in Rochester and let him catch.  But if you are going to get him up and have him catch 50% of the games and DH the rest, then bring him up!

[beckmt]

I believe May will make 1 more start in Rochester to get to 100 pitches and then be in the Twins rotation.  Willingham would have to be traded to get Pinto to Minnesota, that will not happen in the next couple of days( Per note on MLBtraderumors quoting Terry Ryan).  Twins will probably let the minor leagues play out now for the playoffs and only move more players as needed due to injuries.

[drjim]

I believe May will make 1 more start in Rochester to get to 100 pitches and then be in the Twins rotation.  Willingham would have to be traded to get Pinto to Minnesota, that will not happen in the next couple of days( Per note on MLBtraderumors quoting Terry Ryan).  Twins will probably let the minor leagues play out now for the playoffs and only move more players as needed due to injuries.

 

This is correct on May. They aren't going to have him debut on a short pitch count. He will be up after that.

[Thegrin]

mlb channel says that a contract extension for Suzuki is highly possible.

[Thegrin]

Tommy Milone to the Twins for Fuld !!! That changes things for Meyer and May. This changes things for next year.  Nolasco, Hughes, Gibson, Milone, Meyer, May not to mention Pelfrey, Pino & Johnson.

 

Pinto gets a lot of AAA at bats as DH.  Pinto the catcher may not be more than a backup. Pinto the DH may have to slug it out with Vargas.

[gil4]

... not to mention Pelfrey, Pino & Johnson.

I agree - let's not mention them (or at least hope we don't have to.) 

[gil4]

It Hicks switch-hitting again or has he stayed exclusively right-handed?

 

I know it's only AA and he's done it before, but his line is at least encouraging:

 

               AVG  AB  R  H  2B 3B HR RBI  BB SO OBP  SLG  OPS                      

 vs Right .280   93 19 26  6   1    2   11   16  16  382  .430  .812

[Seth Stohs]

It Hicks switch-hitting again or has he stayed exclusively right-handed?

 

I know it's only AA and he's done it before, but his line is at least encouraging:

 

               AVG  AB  R  H  2B 3B HR RBI  BB SO OBP  SLG  OPS                      

 vs Right .280   93 19 26  6   1    2   11   16  16  382  .430  .812

 

He's swith hitting. His numbers left and right handed are very similar.

[Mr. Brooks]

This is correct on May. They aren't going to have him debut on a short pitch count. He will be up after that.

 

Why would he be on a short pitch count?

If he went 77 in his last start, he should be ready to go 100 in his next start, that is not a short pitch count. 

[drjim]

Why would he be on a short pitch count?

If he went 77 in his last start, he should be ready to go 100 in his next start, that is not a short pitch count. 

 

I bet he goes 85-90 and then majors.

 

It would be irresponsible to have a guy make his debut coming back from an injury and not fully built up.