Article: Twins Minor League Report (4/10): Pitching and Polanco

[Seth Stohs]

Opening Day was exciting in the Twins farm system, but Friday was a good day throughout the organization. Rochester had their game postponed, but Chattanooga, Ft. Myers and Cedar Rapids all won. Not only that, but there were a couple of very impressive performances by some pitchers on this night. Offensively, a couple of top middle infield prospects had terrific nights and clutch base hits to help their teams to wins. Oh, and the parent club, the Minnesota Twins… They notched their first win of the season with a 6-0 win over the Chicago White Sox. Check out the rest of the article for all the scores and highlights.Jeremy Nygaard, Cody Christie and I are excited about the start of the 2015 Minor League season and are offering the 2015 Minnesota Twins Prospect Handbook in paperback right now at a 15% discount. Get your copy today, if you haven’t already. It’s also available as an electronic book which is available for immediate download.

 

We have had two days’ worth of Twins Daily readers participating in this year’s Adopt-A-Prospect. At this point, feel free to adopt more players – whether you have or haven’t – and start by posting their initial bio/profile in the Adopt-A-Prospect 2015 forum.

 

Let’s get to today’s report. First things first. BJ Hermsen had his Tommy John surgery earlier in the week. On Friday, lefty Lewis Thorpe had his Tommy John surgery. Both will now begin that long road back.

 

 

RED WINGS REPORT

 

Rochester, Buffalo (PPD)

Box Score

 

The Rochester Red Wings were set to make their home debut of 2015, but the weather was what won on Friday afternoon. The two teams will make up the missed game as part of a doubleheader in late May. They return to action on Saturday afternoon.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

 

Chattanooga 6, Montgomery 2

Box Score

 

As has been written many times, this Chattanooga roster is full of incredible talent and prospects. I do recall talking to Kyle Gibson when he was the organization’s top prospect earlier this decade. I asked him what it meant to him to be considered a top prospect. He said (paraphrasing): It’s nice and I appreciate it, but being a prospect means that I haven’t done anything yet. This Lookouts group is talented, but they’re not all big league ready, and they all have things that they can continue to improve upon. But man, the talent is remarkable.

 

Things always start on the mound, and on this night, JO Berrios made his 2015 debut and came through with an excellent start. He went 6.1 innings and gave up just one run on six hits and a walk. He struck out 11 batters. He threw 89 pitches, and 63 of them were strikes. DJ Johnson came on in relief and got the next five batters out. Zack Jones came on for the ninth inning. He gave up a run on two hits in the inning, but he also struck out three.

 

The Lookouts didn’t generate a lot of offense, but Jorge Polanco generated all the power they would need on this night. Polanco came to the plate in the fifth inning with no score and the bases loaded. He proceeded to blast a long home run, a grand slam, which gave the team a 4-0 lead. Polanco went 3-5 with a double and a stolen base in addition to the big blast. Dalton Hicks was 3-4 with a walk and a double in the game. Mike Gonzales went 2-4.

 

On the other side of the spectrum, there were some tough games as well. Byron Buxton went 0-5 with three strikeouts. Travis Harrison was 0-5 with four strikeouts. Adam Brett Walker went 1-5 but struck out three times. Miguel Sano went 0-3 with two strikeouts, though he also walked twice.

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

 

Ft. Myers 3, Charlotte 0

Box Score

 

Earlier in the day, David Dorsey of the News-Press talked to Aaron Slegers about several topics. In the article, we learned that the 6-10 Slegers was actually cut from his high school basketball team as a sophomore, but he was just fine with that. Baseball was his first love. He had the honor of making the start for the Miracle on Friday night in their home opener. He responded well. He threw six shutout innings. He gave up just two hits, walked none and struck out three to record his first win of the year. Alex Muren came on and threw a scoreless inning. Brian Gilbert walked two, but he didn’t give up a run in his inning.

 

Finally, JT Chargois entered the game in the ninth and pitched a perfect inning, including two strikeouts. It had to be a special moment for Chargois (pronounced SHA-gwa). It was his first appearance in a regular season game since 2012 in Elizabethton. That is the year he was drafted. The last two years, he has been rehabbing elbow issues and had Tommy John. He returned to the mound at Instructional League last fall, but this had to be a special outing for the triple-digit throwing right-hander.

 

In my Ft. Myers Miracle Roster Preview, I wrote that I thought that repeating at Ft. Myers was the best thing for Niko Goodrum. He did all right with the Miracle last year. The hope is that having that year of experience and learning, he will be able to perform better and more consistently in 2015. With that, more confidence could be developed and he could take the next step in his career. He’s off to a good start so far. After having two hits on Opening Night, Goodrum had two more hits on Friday night. His early two-run home run gave the team a lead they were able to hold on to. Later, he added his first double of the season. Alex Swim also went 2-4 in the game.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

 

Cedar Rapids 6, Kane County 4

Box Score

 

The Kernels improved to 2-0 on the very young season with a 6-4 win. Nick Gordon had a second straight strong game. He went 3-5 with two RBI and is now 5-9 (.556) on the season. Jorge Fernandez made his first appearance for the Kernels. He went 3-5 with an RBI double. Zack Larson and TJ White also doubled for the Kernels.

 

If you look at John Curtiss’s baseball-reference page, it shows that he only pitched for Elizabethton in 2014 after being the Twins sixth-round pick out of Texas. However, Friday night was not his first start for the Kernels. He made a start for the team in the second round of the Midwest League playoffs a season ago. In that game, he got a no decision despite giving up just one hit in five shutout innings. On this night, he received a decision, his first win. He was charged with four runs (three earned) on nine hits over 5.2 innings. He didn’t walk anyone, and he struck out seven. Mike Theofanopoulos came on and shut the door over the next 2.1 innings. He gave up a hit and a walk, but no runs. CK Irby recorded the save. He struck out three and gave up one hit in the ninth inning.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Aaron Slegers, Ft. Myers Miracle

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Jorge Polanco, Chattanooga Lookouts

 

 

SATURDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Buffalo @ Rochester (12:35 CST) – LHP Taylor Rogers

Chattanooga @ Montgomery (7:05 CST) – RHP Greg Peavey

Charlotte @ Ft. Myers (5:05 CST) – RHP Chih-Wei Hu

Cedar Rapids @ Kane County (1:00 CST) – LHP Stephen Gonsalves

 

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

 

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[Secondary User]

It had to be a special moment for Chargois (pronounced Shag-wa)

 

This shouldn't be an indictment on the rest of the articles, but this is the best piece of information I've come across in these articles in a while..... I was way off....

[clutterheart]

If Polanco could add power to his game he could supplant Sano and Buxton. Its way too early to make any projections and he will hit bumps in the road but wow I am excited to get his bat in Minnesota

[lightfoot789]

When the Lookouts stop chasing the low and outside pitch as though they can't reach it, the offense will pick up for Chattanooga.  If they can't reach an outside strike without bending over to swing at it, they are obviously too far off the plate.  No one is standing confident in the box and just driving the ball the other way.  "Hit it where they pitch it".  

 

I'm no expert, but everyone seems to be LOADING as they swing instead of LOADED before they swing.  In other words UNBALANCED (which leads to defensive swings).  GET THE FOOT DOWN EARLY!!!

[Pitz]

36 strikeouts for the lookouts lineup in 2 games. Yikes! Hopefully they get their timing down quickly.

Yet they still almost won both of the games.

Also, While going 2 games without striking out is not amazing, the fact that Polanco doesn't own any of those 36 is pretty impressive.

[Seth Stohs]

 

If Polanco could add power to his game he could supplant Sano and Buxton. Its way too early to make any projections and he will hit bumps in the road but wow I am excited to get his bat in Minnesota

 

I don't think he'll ever add a ton of power, maybe 10-12 home run potential... but you never know. He is just solid all around. Scouting reports basically say that none of his tools are elite, but he isn't really weak at any either.

[Seth Stohs]

 

When the Lookouts stop chasing the low and outside pitch as though they can't reach it, the offense will pick up for Chattanooga.  If they can't reach an outside strike without bending over to swing at it, they are obviously too far off the plate.  No one is standing confident in the box and just driving the ball the other way.  "Hit it where they pitch it".  

 

I'm no expert, but everyone seems to be LOADING as they swing instead of LOADED before they swing.  In other words UNBALANCED (which leads to defensive swings).  GET THE FOOT DOWN EARLY!!!

 

From what I've seen, they just need to not swing at the sliders down and away... which is the scouting report on guys like Sano and Walker coming into the season. Buxton just looks really rusty, which of course is understandable.

 

Also, let's see what happens when they start seeing teams' #3, #4, #5 starters. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

This shouldn't be an indictment on the rest of the articles, but this is the best piece of information I've come across in these articles in a while..... I was way off....

 

I've posted that pronunciation a few times in various articles that have mentioned him lately just so that people get used to it. 

[Pitz]

Does Berrios regularly do a lot of fidgeting and shaking his arm? It caught my attention in the video of his 11th K and made me a little nervous that he was experiencing some discomfort. But maybe its something he does, maybe his jersey didn't feel quite right or maybe it was the weather.

[twinsfaninsaudi]

"…Cedar Rapids roster is full of incredible talent, and prospects" seems you meant Chatanooga

[shs_59]

Is Max Kepler hurt with the arm thing?

 

ALso i'm really surprised both Walker and Harrison are in AA to start , i would of had one or the other in High A for the first month or so let them get comfortable then promote at hot streak time.

[HitInAPinch]

 

From what I've seen, they just need to not swing at the sliders down and away... which is the scouting report on guys like Sano and Walker coming into the season. Buxton just looks really rusty, which of course is understandable.

 

Also, let's see what happens when they start seeing teams' #3, #4, #5 starters. 

 

Sliders are what separates the men from the boys :-)

 

[Halsey Hall]

9209 fans in attendance at Hammond Stadium for a new attendance record. One that will probably never be broken per fire rules. 

 

Slegers did a great job getting the first 10 in a row.  Niko hit his homer out of the park, clearing everything in right field, and had a very good game.  He made a nice pick of a hot smash in the 1st inning. 

 

Sha wa was sitting at 96, but topped out at 98.  I saw one change in the 70's and several in the 80's but most were wild.  He did get a k on one of them though. 

[Halsey Hall]

I should add that free tickets were given out at Wendy's for general admission, as they do every opening day.  Box seats were purchased.  That's the reason for the large attendance, as they never know how many free bees will show up. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Does Berrios regularly do a lot of fidgeting and shaking his arm? It caught my attention in the video of his 11th K and made me a little nervous that he was experiencing some discomfort. But maybe its something he does, maybe his jersey didn't feel quite right or maybe it was the weather.

 

I noticed that too, but I think he does do that a lot, just to shake it out, keep it loose. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Is Max Kepler hurt with the arm thing?

ALso i'm really surprised both Walker and Harrison are in AA to start , i would of had one or the other in High A for the first month or so let them get comfortable then promote at hot streak time.

 

Yeah, I don't believe Kepler is at 100%

 

Also, I thought there was some chance Harrison might start in Ft. Myers. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Sliders are what separates the men from the boys :-)

 

Completely agree, and their ability to recognize and lay off of them will determine their future success. It will take time and adjustment.

[Thrylos]

 

I don't think he'll ever add a ton of power, maybe 10-12 home run potential... but you never know. He is just solid all around. Scouting reports basically say that none of his tools are elite, but he isn't really weak at any either.

 

I'd say that Sano and Buxton have one elite tool each (Power, Speed) as well

I think that Polanco's hit (average) tool is ahead of both at this point.  As far as being "elite", I think that he will be a .300 hitter, which is "elite" for a shortstop.  So these guys are not that far from each other (and, I have Polanco ranked ahead of Buxton)

 

The one guy in that team that will surprise people is Mike Gonzales.  I think that, based what I saw this ST, he's finally figured it out (and it was about time.)  Dark horse for making the Twins in 2016.

Edited April 11, 2015 by Thrylos

[diehardtwinsfan]

SSS I know, but this is a good reason why I didn't want to see either of these guys come north with the Twins. Both are obviously rusty, and right now they are clearly away from their game. Both were fairly patient hitters, so I'm hoping they get back into that routine, otherwise, both will see their stock fall a bit this year.

[Shane Wahl]

I will be amazed if Gonzales makes the Twins next year. I had written him off early in 2014. I wouldn't be surprised if they moved him to Rochester when they want Kepler to play regularly. 

 

Polanco is the real deal.

[NoCryingInBaseball]

Besides the slow start from Buxton & Sano, so many of the top prospects are really coming out of the shoot fast & furious. I think the sow start for the top two prospects is on account of the inactivity in 2014 and that they will be leading the others soon enough.

[twinsfan34]

I know this was said earlier...as I had researched it earlier as well...but 36 strikeouts?! Montgomery had 30 so far...but still. That's stupid. Then that Polanco has 0, albeit 0 walks too. Just crazy. 

 

Buxton 6 K's in 9 ABs with 1 BB. Ouch!

 

[adjacent]

Regading the Chattanooga game, one factor is thet the Stadium lights were pretty bad, at least for what is was showing in the Milb streaming. That could be a factor in the high number of strike-outs, for both teams in both games played.

[nater79a]

 

I will be amazed if Gonzales makes the Twins next year. I had written him off early in 2014. I wouldn't be surprised if they moved him to Rochester when they want Kepler to play regularly. 

 

Polanco is the real deal.

 

Agree. I think that Polanco has a chance to be one of the very best of this group of Twins prospects. 

 

Somewhat disappointed that the Twins would give Dozier the contract that they did, because Polanco probably profiles much better at 2B. Would hate to see him blocked here and then dealt away only to become a perennial All-Star somewhere else.

[Secondary User]

 

Agree. I think that Polanco has a chance to be one of the very best of this group of Twins prospects. 

 

Somewhat disappointed that the Twins would give Dozier the contract that they did, because Polanco probably profiles much better at 2B. Would hate to see him blocked here and then dealt away only to become a perennial All-Star somewhere else.

 

Even if he profiles better as a second baseman, his path to the show will be through shortstop.  Santana/Escobar have many more question marks than Dozier does, and the next solid short stop option is probably Nick Gordon.  By the time Gordon comes up, Dozier will be on the back end of the contract, and potentially expendable or a depth option

[lightfoot789]

The good news is that Chattanooga is still amongst the middle to top of Southern League offensively despite K's. The whole league is struggling offensively with the exception of Mobile.

 

I still feel good things coming. What's made these players great in the past from a teams perspective is that somebody is always picking up the team on any given day. You just never know who it may be during any week.

[nater79a]

 

Even if he profiles better as a second baseman, his path to the show will be through shortstop.  Santana/Escobar have many more question marks than Dozier does, and the next solid short stop option is probably Nick Gordon.  By the time Gordon comes up, Dozier will be on the back end of the contract, and potentially expendable or a depth option

 

Yeah, and it doesn't matter what I think, because the Twins are committed to Polanco at SS right now too. 

 

By mid-season there may be a glut of SS's and some decisions need to be made. Polanco will be too good with the stick, IMO.

 

 

[Thrylos]

 

 

 

Polanco probably profiles much better at 2B

 

This is an interesting fallacy and I have seen it coming here and there, but it is hard to figure out its root.  The only seasons that Polanco played more at 2B than at SS were in 2012 and 2013, because the Twins thought that Goodrum should take more reps there, a notion that they realized should be reversed in 2014.  I kinda believe that this misconception comes from another player's agent or something of that sort.  Or as an excuse to have their second round pick there ahead of a player with a better glove...

 

Heck, look who BA (Manuel) thought was the Twins' best defensive infielder before the 2011 season?
 

 

[Bob Sacamento]

 

This shouldn't be an indictment on the rest of the articles, but this is the best piece of information I've come across in these articles in a while..... I was way off....

Here's video I took of Chargois saying his own name

 

Also I asked around the Player Complex, players were still reporting to extended spring training camp as of Friday (from the the Dominican), the full roster and schedule should be released on the 4/13 or 4/14.

[John Kelsey]

 

Here's video I took of Chargois saying his own name

 

Also I asked around the Player Complex, players were still reporting to extended spring training camp as of Friday (from the the Dominican), the full roster and schedule should be released on the 4/13 or 4/14.

 

Ehh, he doesn't know what he's talking about. I like my way of saying it better.