Article: Twins Minor League Report (4/15): WIns and Extras

[Jeremy Nygaard]

The organization-wide success of the minor league affiliates continued on Wednesday with two wins and two extra-inning losses.

 

There had been some questions on Monday about why Adrian Salcedo - and not Alex Wimmers - was making the start for Chattanooga. Well, it turns out the Lookouts were going to be cautious with Wimmers after he experienced a tight hamstring. The club has pushed him back to Sunday.

 

Let's take a look at what happened on the farm on Wednesday.RED WINGS REPORT

 

ROCHESTER 11, SCRANTON/WB 6

Box Score

 

 

The Red Wings dug themselves an early hole in this morning showdown before running away with a 5-inning ninth to secure their fifth victory in six games.

For better or worse, the story of this game will be the struggles of Alex Meyer. Meyer failed to complete four innings (3.2 IP) and surrendered five runs (all earned) on seven hits and five(!) walks. He struck out six and now sports an ERA of 8.31. Of the 88 pitches Meyer threw today, only 49 found the strike zone. Watching parts of the game, many balls weren't even close.

 

The clamoring you hear is no longer about putting Meyer in the Twins rotation, it’s about putting him in the bullpen. For now, though, the investment in Meyer as a starter will continue, and rightfully so.

 

One of the positives of Rochester’s young season has been the performance of the bullpen. Today it was the trio of Stephen Pryor, Caleb Thielbar and A.J. Achter. Pryor gave up a run in his 2.1 IP, walking two. But the trio combined to throw 5.1 innings, allowing only four hits, two walks and a run. Each of Pryor and Thielbar struck out three. Simply put, this bullpen has been everything the Twins bullpen hasn’t been through a week of the season.

 

The lineup sprayed 15 hits around today, led by Eric Fryer (four hits, four RBI) and Josmil Pinto (four hits, RBI). Danny Ortiz had a two hits and Jose Martinez drove in two runs.

 

CHATTANOOGA CHATTER

 

CHATTANOOGA 4, BIRMINGHAM 3

Box Score

 

After dropping their opener, the Lookouts have been on a tear. The Lookouts needed all 27 outs to secure a victory on Wednesday... and then needed to make sure they got their 27th out before celebrating their home opener.

 

Tyler Duffey took a no-decision despite having, arguably, the best game of any Twins pitcher - majors or minors - this season. Duffey struck out eight in seven innings. He walked one and allowed two hits. He got eight outs on the ground and only one through the air. He STILL hasn't allowed a run to score. He does however, have the bad luck of his bullpen blowing both of his (potential) wins.

 

After Dalls Gallant gave the lead up, Zack Jones retired the side (but not without making it interesting by allowing a triple) with three swinging strike outs.

 

The Lookouts retook the lead in the bottom of the eighth after a Levi Michael walk was followed by a Byron Buxton single. A Miguel Sano fielder's choice advanced Michael to third before a Mike Gonzales single scored him.

 

Both Adam Brett Walker (home run) and Jorge Polanco (double) had extra-base hits in multi-hit efforts. Buxton went 1-for-4 and Sano went 0-for-4. Neither of them struck out though, which is a better sign.

 

 

MIRACLE MATTERS

 

FORT MYERS 1, TAMPA 3 (11 innings)

Box Score

 

Kohl Stewart tossed a career-high eight innings on Wednesday night. Though the press box didn’t have an official pitch count, all reports indicate that Stewart was very efficient. While he didn't strike out a high amount of guys (three), he didn't walk many either (two) and only allowed one run on eight hits. He had an impressive 12:3 groundout to flyout ratio as well. Unfortunately, Stewart got a no-decision.

 

Alex Muren relieved Stewart and gave up two runs in the 11th to get hung with a loss. Brian Gilbert finished it off.

 

The bats were pretty quiet again for the Miracle. Aderling Mejia had two hits, including a double, but is still only batting .120 on the season. Niko Goodrum also doubled, but saw his average drop to .345, which leads the team by a wide margin.

 

Last year's playoff hero, Jason Kanzler, went 0-for-3 and is now in a 0-for-23 slump that involves 14 strikeouts. Max Kepler got a hit in his first prolonged action as he works his way back from some elbow discomfort.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

 

CEDAR RAPIDS 2, PEORIA 3 (12 innings)

Box Score

 

It took 12 innings, but the Kernels finally lost a game this year.

 

Mat Batts had a solid outing, pitching six innings and only allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits. He struck out five.

 

Both Sam Clay and Trevor Hildenberger struck out four in three innings, but Hildenberger couldn't go unscathed, giving up the winning run in the top of the 12th.

 

The middle of the lineup really struggled, going 0-for-13 with six strikeouts and two walks. Zach Granite had three hits (of the eight) and drove in two runs. Tanner English added a double.

 

Nick Gordon got the day off today.

 

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Hitter of the Day - Eric Fryer

Pitcher of the Day - Kohl Stewart

 

 

THURSDAY'S PROBABLES

 

Rochester vs Pawtucket (7:05 ET) - Taylor Rogers (0-0, 0.00) faces off against top prospect Henry Owens (0-0, 1.42) in a battle of lefties. Rochester has a one-game lead on Pawtucket in the International League North.

 

Fort Myers vs Tampa (7:05 ET) - Aaron Slegers (1-0, 0.00) will be on the mound as the Miracle try to battle back to .500.

 

Chattanooga vs Birmingham (7:15 ET) - Jose Berrios (1-0, 1.42) looks to build off his season-opener as the first-place Lookouts intend to stretch their five-game winning streak to six.

 

Cedar Rapids vs Peoria (7:35 ET) - John Curtiss (1-0, 4.76)

 

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[KirbyHawk75]

Great write-up.  Always appreciate this, especially with the state of the Twins right now.  I just think Pinto has nothing left to prove in the Minors anymore.  He needs to be in the Majors.  If they want to keep Hermann. That is fine.  He would be a much better option than Nunez.  

[lightfoot789]

Does anybody know why Sano has not played in the field the last 2 games - especially since he had a day off in between games?  In regards to Dalton Hicks (team leading hitter), he hasn't played (DH or field) in the last 2 games either.  Any update?

[Zephrin]

"Tyler Duffey took a no-decision despite having, arguably, the best game of any Twins pitcher - majors or minors - this season."

 

Then shouldn't he have been the Pitcher of the Day over Stewart?  

[lightfoot789]

 

"Tyler Duffey took a no-decision despite having, arguably, the best game of any Twins pitcher - majors or minors - this season."

 

Then shouldn't he have been the Pitcher of the Day over Stewart?

 

I agree with that one.  18 K's in 2 games and no runs allowed - DUFFY DUFFY DUFFY

[h2oface]

That was too early to play a baseball game for Meyer and Rochester.

 

Oh...... the Lookouts' box score link goes the the Rochester box, too.

Edited April 16, 2015 by h2oface

[jokin]

 

I agree with that one.  18 K's in 2 games and no runs allowed - DUFFY DUFFY DUFFY

 

(e)... (e)... (e)...  or were you referring to Danny Duffy?

[jokin]

 

 

Great write-up.  Always appreciate this, especially with the state of the Twins right now.  I just think Pinto has nothing left to prove in the Minors anymore.  He needs to be in the Majors.  If they want to keep Hermann. That is fine.  He would be a much better option than Nunez.  

 

I agree on Pinto***, on Hermann v Nunez there is little net gain from one on the roster over the other.

 

 

(FWIW, I watched Pinto playing on Rochester last year, he, along with May and Meyer looked like the only sure "major league material" on the entire roster  (Ortiz was a close 4th).  Curiously, both at the plate and behind it, he looked as out of place in Rochester as he does in Minnesota, only in the diametrically opposite sense, and fully justified, "too good for this league sense" of extreme confidence and swagger.  And we all know how un-confident he looks in Minnesota, a little when he slumped, but especially behind the plate-  clearly Pinto is caught between the proverbial Rock and Hard Place.)

 

Edited April 16, 2015 by jokin

[ExpectMorePayLess]

Walker hit a monster shot tonight in Chattanooga.  The left fielder didn't even move.  Harrison looks to be having an excellent year.  Timely hitting so far.

[ThejacKmp]

"Tyler Duffey took a no-decision despite having, arguably, the best game of any Twins pitcher - majors or minors - this season."

 

But he's not pitcher of the day?

[Jeremy Nygaard]

 

 

Oh...... the Lookouts' box score link goes the the Rochester box, too.

 

Thanks. Fixed.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

 

"Tyler Duffey took a no-decision despite having, arguably, the best game of any Twins pitcher - majors or minors - this season."

 

Then shouldn't he have been the Pitcher of the Day over Stewart?

 

I feel like I pimp Duffey enough. (Because I do.) And how many times does a Twins pitcher - majors or minors - complete 8 innings? About as often as Meyer gets to the seventh.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I feel like I pimp Duffey enough. (Because I do.) And how many times does a Twins pitcher - majors or minors - complete 8 innings? About as often as Meyer gets to the seventh.

 

Buh-dump-bump... 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Walker hit a monster shot tonight in Chattanooga.  The left fielder didn't even move.  Harrison looks to be having an excellent year.  Timely hitting so far.

 

Both are encouraging... especially the start Harrison is off to. Of course, small sample size comes into play, but seeing that BA at like .360 is great. I know in talking to him this spring, he put in a lot of work this offseason and it's always good to see that rewarded. Walker? He's just so strong!

[Dantes929]

"The clamoring you hear is no longer about putting Meyer in the Twins rotation, it’s about putting him in the bullpen. For now, though, the investment in Meyer as a starter will continue, and rightfully so"   

I never understand the concept that walking a lot of guys is a less damaging thing as a reliever.   .

Meyer's start is discouraging but that is all.    The light can come on any time and as far as I am concerned he should always be just 3 good starts in a row from being a good option for the Twins.   The three good starts might never happen and might just be 2 weeks away.

[puckstopper1]

Aaron Hicks' 0 for 6 for Rochester looks ugly.  I keep hoping he can be consistent enough to come up and provide the Twins some solid outfield "D", while batting 9th.  He can bring much more to the table than Robinson or Schafer, and could be a nice #4 outfielder for the Twins down the road.  That hope is waning, however, every time I see a box score like yesterdays...

[Jeremy Nygaard]

 

 

I never understand the concept that walking a lot of guys is a less damaging thing as a reliever.   .

Meyer's start is discouraging but that is all.    The light can come on any time and as far as I am concerned he should always be just 3 good starts in a row from being a good option for the Twins.   The three good starts might never happen and might just be 2 weeks away.

 

If he became a reliever, he'd ditch the changeup and be a fastball/slider guy. His fastball was all over yesterday, but, overall, shrinking his repertoire should help him walk less batters.

 

It also might not. And like you said, he might turn it around.

 

At the end of the day, his arm is an asset. There's just a lot of questions about where it fits. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

"The clamoring you hear is no longer about putting Meyer in the Twins rotation, it’s about putting him in the bullpen. For now, though, the investment in Meyer as a starter will continue, and rightfully so"   

I never understand the concept that walking a lot of guys is a less damaging thing as a reliever.   .

Meyer's start is discouraging but that is all.    The light can come on any time and as far as I am concerned he should always be just 3 good starts in a row from being a good option for the Twins.   The three good starts might never happen and might just be 2 weeks away.

 

Correct... it's two starts in a league that he did have some success in last year, so it's way too early to give up on him as a starter.

[toosweet64]

The higher propensity for walks have me concerned with Meyer. I worry that he is going to be our Wade Davis or Zach Britton, i.e. promising starters coming up but relegated to the bullpen in the majors.  That being said, both are pretty good relievers in their own respect. I think Meyer could be too with his fastball and wipeout slider. It would just be a bummer to have to go that route with Burdi, Zach Jones, Jake Reed, Tonkin, and others already destined for the bullpen with no really overwhelming talent save for Berrios and Stewart in the starting pitching department. 

[Jeremy Nygaard]

As far as the Pitcher of the Day goes, I'll be honest: The other games went longer (and later) and this guy doesn't stay up too late. The games finished, I was half asleep and threw Stewart in there.

 

In doing that, I'm not comparing apples to apples. Sure, Duffey's stats were better, but he dominated AA last year before getting moved to AAA. I expect him to dominate.

 

Stewart, on the other hand, eclipsed his career high (from Low-A) by two innings. I used to get nervous every time he threw for Cedar Rapids that he'd be shut down for the year. 

 

So in comparison, sure, Duffey was better. But the start Stewart had, for me - and I'm the only vote that counts - was of the much more encouraging variety. And I love Duffey... and he'll be in AAA soon.

[RaymondLuxuryYacht]

Where did Duffey place on the various TD prospect ranking lists?  (too lazy to search)

[kvothe]

At what point is it time to worry about Stewart's lack of strikeouts?

[James]

 

At what point is it time to worry about Stewart's lack of strikeouts?

If he continues to consistently pitch 8 innings while only giving up 1 run... never?

[dxpavelka]

 

I agree on Pinto***, on Hermann v Nunez there is little net gain from one on the roster over the other.

 

 

(FWIW, I watched Pinto playing on Rochester last year, he, along with May and Meyer looked like the only sure "major league material" on the entire roster  (Ortiz was a close 4th).  Curiously, both at the plate and behind it, he looked as out of place in Rochester as he does in Minnesota, only in the diametrically opposite sense, and fully justified, "too good for this league sense" of extreme confidence and swagger.  And we all know how un-confident he looks in Minnesota, a little when he slumped, but especially behind the plate-  clearly Pinto is caught between the proverbial Rock and Hard Place.)

Bring him up and let him play CF.  Overall bottom line both offensively & defensively can't be any worse than the guys we're running out there now.

 

[dxpavelka]

 

Bring him up and let him play CF.  Overall bottom line both offensively & defensively can't be any worse than the guys we're running out there now.

I was only joking until I looked at the stats on the official team website and even they don't list a CF.  Try anything.  Anyone.  Just not these guys.

 

 

[diehardtwinsfan]

Where did Duffey place on the various TD prospect ranking lists?  (too lazy to search)

Not all that high. Peripherals didn't say much more than 5th starter, but in his first two starts this season, he's really taking a step forward. SSS at this point I know, but encouraging none the less.

 

For the record, he was one of those relief arms we drafted in 2012. Lots of upset people (myself included) at that. Hopefully he vindicates the Twins.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Where did Duffey place on the various TD prospect ranking lists?  (too lazy to search)

Jeremy: 12

Seth: 16

Cody: 20

 

I was bullish on him after I'd heard multiple reports of his improved change-up. Some games, scouts were calling it "plus"; other games, scouts said "average at best". I think it's fair to say he could fill a mid-rotation role if he continues to progress.

 

The area scout, Greg Runser, is responsible for a TON of arms in the system as the club has been adding Texas and Louisiana pitchers at a very high rate.

Edited April 16, 2015 by Jeremy Nygaard

[mikelink45]

Okay the Twins have had some success on the homestand, but please make us happier and start the transition.  The minor league bullpen pitchers look ready, the major league - not so much.  Lets start there.