Article: Twins Minor League Report (8/25):

[Jeremy Nygaard]

The Twins had a day off today. But still made the news when Trevor Plouffe and Danny Santana were named co-AL Players of the Week.

 

The Twins and Red Wings announced a two-year extension to their partnership that will carry through 2016.

 

The Twins released Carson Goldsmith, Lance Ray and Jake Proctor.

 

Learn about what happened in Monday's games below.RED WINGS REPORT

Rochester 4, Scranton/WB 2

Box Score

 

Alex Meyer was on the hill on Monday night for one of his last couple starts of the season. In attendance was Twins GM Terry Ryan. Ryan got to witness Meyer throw, what I believe to be a career-high, 105 pitches. In six innings, Meyer allowed two runs on seven hits, including three doubles and a home run and three walks. He struck out four in picking up a win.

 

A.J. Achter picked up a three-inning save (his sixth at AAA), striking out three and allowing a single hit.

 

Pedro Florimon had two hits, including a triple, drove in a run and has increased his average to .257. On Monday, he batted in the two-hole. Doug Bernier also contributed two hits, while Chris Herrmann, Chris Colabello and Danny Ortiz all added doubles.

 

The Red Wings find themselves 1.5 games out of the playoffs with six games left.

 

ROCK CATS REVIEW

New Britain 1, Binghamton 4

Box Score

 

The Rock Cats dropped Monday night’s game when Edgar Ibarra gave up three eighth-inning runs. Mason Melotakis worked a two-hit seventh following a six-inning start by Taylor Rogers. Rogers struck out six, but walked four. He gave up a single run while throwing 103 pitches.

 

Levi Michael continued his hit parade. With two more on Monday, he’s up to .354 at New Britain. Eddie Rosario doubled and Reynaldo Rodriguez drove in the team’s only run. Jorge Polanco committed his 9th AA error.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

Fort Myers 2, Bradenton 3

Box Score

 

Starter Brett Lee failed to complete five innings. He gave up three runs on six hits and four walks. He only struck out one. He’s season ERA of 2.48, though, is still quite impressive.

 

Madison Boer (2.1 IP) and Brandon Peterson (1 IP) both allowed two hits without walking or striking out anyone.

 

The offense gathered only five hits. Stuart Turner hit his sixth home run and stole his seventh base. Aderling Mejia and Travis Harrison added doubles. Harrison drove in the other RBI.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Cedar Rapids 2, Quad Cities 3

Box Score

 

 

Stephen Gonsalves was dealing Monday night, but ended up with a no decision. He struck out 10. While he didn’t walk anyone, he did allowed two runs on two hits (home runs can do that). In other words, Gonsalves pitched well, but was stuck with bad luck.

 

Jared Wilson took the loss. He struck out four in two innings, but also gave up a home run. Josue Montanez pitched a scoreless eighth.

 

The Kernels struck out 18 times… so there isn’t that much to say. Tanner Vavra and Michael Quesada both doubled during their two-hit nights. Quesada and Ryan Walker drove in the team’s runs.

 

E-TOWN E-NOTES

Elizabethton 2, Bristol 4

Box Score

 

Tyler Kuresa had two hits and Pat Kelly doubled to provide most of the E-Twins offense tonight. Nick Gordon went 0-for-4.

 

Brandon Poulson had a rough night. In recording four outs, Poulson allowed only one hit, but also a run, three walks, a throwing error and a wild pitch. He did strike out one. Cameron Booser took the loss.

 

GCL TWINS TAKES

GCL Twins 3, GCL Rays 12

Box Score

 

There is plenty to write about the Rays' 12-run, 16-hit outburst... but there's markedly less to write about the Twins.

 

Amaurys Minier drove in all three runs on his 8th home run of the year.

 

Seth Wagner faced eight batters... seven reached on hits, one reached on a walk and all came around to score. Brandon Easton gave up three runs on seven hits too.

 

Twins Daily Minor League Players of the Day

Pitcher of the Day: Stephen Gonsalves, Cedar Rapids

Hitter of the Day: Amaurys Minier, GCL Twins

 

Tuesday's Probables

New Britain at Binghamton (4:35 CST) – Jason Adam (Listen)

New Britain at Binghamton (Game 2) – Jose Berrios (Listen)

Ft. Myers at Bradenton (5:30 CST) – Steven Gruver (Listen)

Cedar Rapids at Quad Cities (7:00 CST) - Lewis Thorpe (Listen)

Elizabethton at Bristol (6:00 CST) - Sam Gibbons

GCL Twins at GCL Rays (11:00am CST) – TBD

 

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[shs_59]

Jeremy, Thanks and great read....... Man has Tyler Duffey , and even Jason Wheeler helped themselves out a bunch this yr.

 

I hope Minier makes big strides next year.

 

Jeremy if you had to venture a guess of where Minier starts 2015 where would it be?

 

Cedar Rapids?  or too aggreesive

[gil4]

So has Levi Michael decided to become a prospect again? 

 

I had written him off as a bust, but maybe it was too soon.  He still doesn't hit for power and he's playing 2b instead of SS, but even when he was hitting .229 his OBP was .331, which is acceptable (except for the fact that it was at A+ and he was a college guy repeating the level.) 

 

This year he finally figured out A+ and it appears to have carried over to AA, although we're only talking about a little over 200 AB combined.  Is it realistic to hope that maybe we will get some value out of that 1st round pick after all?   

[TRex]

I was reading through the box score, and noticed this sequence:

• two Kernels hitters we drilled with pitches
• one Bandit was HBP
• Gonsalves gave up a HR.

I know you can read a lot into a box score (falsely), but when I saw that Gonsalves hit the first batter he faced after the second Kernel got plunked, it sure seemed like a statement pitch. One of the reasons I do not like retaliation is that I think it affects a pitcher's mind and control, perhaps like a HR derby affects a hitters mentality and swing. So I was not surprised to see this control-based pitcher give up his first full-season HR two batters later.

 

Was anyone (i.e. JC, SDB or Dad) at the game, and can confirm or deny this hypothesis?

[Steven Buhr]

I was reading through the box score, and noticed this sequence:

• two Kernels hitters we drilled with pitches
• one Bandit was HBP
• Gonsalves gave up a HR.

I know you can read a lot into a box score (falsely), but when I saw that Gonsalves hit the first batter he faced after the second Kernel got plunked, it sure seemed like a statement pitch. One of the reasons I do not like retaliation is that I think it affects a pitcher's mind and control, perhaps like a HR derby affects a hitters mentality and swing. So I was not surprised to see this control-based pitcher give up his first full-season HR two batters later.

 

Was anyone (i.e. JC, SDB or Dad) at the game, and can confirm or deny this hypothesis?

 

Sorry, I did not drive down to the QC game.

 

I don't believe the Kernels pitchers retaliate for every HBP their batters get. That said, if in fact the team believed that one or more of the two HBPs were intentional, then I absolutely believe it would be possible (perhaps even likely) that the Bandit was plunked intentionally. Nobody goes head-hunting, but yeah, I think they would send a message that you can't go gunning at their hitters without consequence.

[B Richard]

Coincidentally, a pitcher who is having problems with his control is more prone to hit batters and give up homers. In the larger context of his outing, this may not be the case, but young pitchers (hell, even old pitchers) are prone to short bouts of command loss.

[TRex]

Coincidentally, a pitcher who is having problems with his control is more prone to hit batters and give up homers. In the larger context of his outing, this may not be the case, but young pitchers (hell, even old pitchers) are prone to short bouts of command loss.

10K in 5 innings, with 2 hits allowed... o that all Twins pitchers would be afflicted with poor control today!

[amjgt]

Worth noting on Rochester is that for their 6 remaining games, they have three two-games series' against the 3 teams above them.

 

Good, in that, they control their own destiny. Bad, in that, they are playing all good teams.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Jeremy, Thanks and great read....... Man has Tyler Duffey , and even Jason Wheeler helped themselves out a bunch this yr.

 

I hope Minier makes big strides next year.

 

Jeremy if you had to venture a guess of where Minier starts 2015 where would it be?

 

Cedar Rapids?  or too aggreesive

 

I would guess he'd start the year in EST and if there is a need in CR, he could make his debut there before the Appy League starts.

[Seth Stohs]

Yeah, in a way they do somewhat control their own destiny... kind of.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

So has Levi Michael decided to become a prospect again? 

 

 

Oh yeah. Depending on how he does in the AFL (if he goes), I could see him being a Top 10-15 prospect in the organization.

[jokin]

Oh yeah. Depending on how he does in the AFL (if he goes), I could see him being a Top 10-15 prospect in the organization.

 

Jeremy, is there an updated opinion on Michael's arm and glove?  If he's really off of playing SS the whole season, as it now appears likely and deep behind the SS depth chart behind Polanco, Goodrum, et al, there really is no place for him with the Twins short of a utility role, which the Twins seem to be currently rich in those type of players anyway.  If true, that would seem to cast doubt on Michael going to the AFL.  I guess we'll find out shortly, but I gotta think that Michael is prime prospect throw-in bait for a trade for other areas of need.

[TRex]

Jeremy, is there an updated opinion on Michael's arm and glove?  If he's really off of playing SS the whole season, as it now appears likely and deep behind the SS depth chart behind Polanco, Goodrum, et al, there really is no place for him with the Twins short of a utility role, which the Twins seem to be currently rich in those type of players anyway.  If true, that would seem to cast doubt on Michael going to the AFL.  I guess we'll find out shortly, but I gotta think that Michael is prime prospect throw-in bait for a trade for other areas of need.

Who is the last slow-developing first round pick that the Twins traded? They held on to position players like Moses and Garbe as well as pitchers Ryan Mills, Adam Johnson and Kyle Waldrop until they were out of options (and even longer). And I think we are all happy that they didn't pull the trigger with Hunter or Span.

 

Also, it's not like our DP combo is Knoblauch and Gagne (or even Guzman/Rivas !). I would posit that the 2016 opening day SS and 2B are not even on the current roster.

[jokin]

Who is the last slow-developing first round pick that the Twins traded? They held on to position players like Moses and Garbe as well as pitchers Ryan Mills, Adam Johnson and Kyle Waldrop until they were out of options (and even longer). And I think we are all happy that they didn't pull the trigger with Hunter or Span.

 

Also, it's not like our DP combo is Knoblauch and Gagne (or even Guzman/Rivas !). I would posit that the 2016 opening day SS and 2B are not even on the current roster.

 

Good points, all.  So long story short,  how do Michael's arm and glove currently project as a major league SS?  And the players you mentioned didn't pan out very well to draw trade interest..  If Micheal maintains his hitting tool at his current pace, he might raise more interest in trade, especially if he can stick at SS.  The Twins, based on where he played this year, currently "seem" to put him behind Polanco, Goodrum, Mejia, Bernier, Florimon.  By 2016, most every name on that list will be in the discussion about a 2016 SS roster spot, and the utility spot is equally cluttered in that time frame- perhaps that is the role that the Twins are inviting him to shoot for.

Edited August 26, 2014 by jokin

[TRex]

The Twins, based on where he played this year, currently "seem" to put him behind Polanco, Goodrum, Mejia, Bernier, Florimon.  By 2016, most every name on that list will be in the discussion about a 2016 SS roster spot, and the utility spot is equally cluttered in that time frame- perhaps that is the role that the Twins are inviting him to shoot for.

First, I do not think he is a ML shortstop.  Second, I don't know where the Twins slot him, but he is only 1 year older that Niko Goodrum and Anderlin Mejia (and 11 years younger than Bernier). And Polanco is now an uberprospect and shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence as Michael.

 

I think a successful Michael is a high AVG, high OBP guy who can handle the bat, steal a base and play above average 2nd base (likely not a good as Dozier, though). I would expect his game to be similar to Luis Castillo (the Twins version). That may be damning with faint praise, but I think that is a very useful role on a team full of (potential) sluggers like Buxton, Sano, Vargas, and Arcia.

[Mike Sixel]

Who is the last slow-developing first round pick that the Twins traded? They held on to position players like Moses and Garbe as well as pitchers Ryan Mills, Adam Johnson and Kyle Waldrop until they were out of options (and even longer). And I think we are all happy that they didn't pull the trigger with Hunter or Span.

 

Also, it's not like our DP combo is Knoblauch and Gagne (or even Guzman/Rivas !). I would posit that the 2016 opening day SS and 2B are not even on the current roster.

 

I can't think of the last time they traded a legit prospect, slow developing or not.....

[Old Twins Cap]

Wilson Ramos.  Still makes me cry when I watch him play.

[Mike Sixel]

Wilson Ramos.  Still makes me cry when I watch him play.

 

Sigh, I had cleansed my brain of that....oh well.

[jokin]

First, I do not think he is a ML shortstop.  Second, I don't know where the Twins slot him, but he is only 1 year older that Niko Goodrum and Anderlin Mejia (and 11 years younger than Bernier). And Polanco is now an uberprospect and shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence as Michael.

 

I think a successful Michael is a high AVG, high OBP guy who can handle the bat, steal a base and play above average 2nd base (likely not a good as Dozier, though). I would expect his game to be similar to Luis Castillo (the Twins version). That may be damning with faint praise, but I think that is a very useful role on a team full of (potential) sluggers like Buxton, Sano, Vargas, and Arcia.

 

I think we agree with the Twins apparent conclusion that he probably isn't a ML SS, but you still haven't made the case of how he gets into a game.  Dozier, presumably, is going to be playing virtually every day at 2nd until at least 2019.  Escobar, Nunez, and the other utility candidates will have to have moved on, or Michael has to outplay/outproject the other comers to get the utility role

Edited August 26, 2014 by jokin

[amjgt]

Oh yeah. Depending on how he does in the AFL (if he goes), I could see him being a Top 10-15 prospect in the organization.

 

Jinx

[TRex]

I think we agree with the Twins apparent conclusion that he probably isn't a ML SS, but you still haven't made the case of how he gets into a game.  Dozier, presumably, is going to be playing virtually every day at 2nd until at least 2019.  Escobar, Nunez, and the other utility candidates will have to have moved on, or Michael has to outplay/outproject the other comers to get the utility role

I will answer your question if, at first, you tell me what you think the 2016 triple slash numbers will be for Escobar, Nunez, Santana and Dozier. Their current numbers are:

(I give up on trying to format it correctly, sorry)

 

Player 2016 age AVG OBP SLG OPS

Santana, D

25 0.323 0.359 0.485 0.844

Dozier, B

30 0.236 0.342 0.417 0.759

Escobar, E

27 0.279 0.323 0.408 0.731

Nunez, E

29 0.253 0.28 0.361 0.641

Edited August 27, 2014 by TRex